PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Christian McDermott (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Is Ku Kone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

McDermott
vs
Ku Kone

180 cm
22
180 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

173 cm
22
167 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

[IFC] Hilton Supplements *NYC*

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Christian McDermott!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Is Ku Kone!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Anthony Taglia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kone tries to clinch but McDermott moves out of range.
McDermott misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McDermott swinging wildly here.
Kone throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Kone has taken the fight to the clinch.
McDermott wants a takedown but no success here.
McDermott drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McDermott is trying to break the clinch but Kone has him pressed against the cage.
McDermott trying to control the position but instead, Kone has worked for underhooks and has pushed McDermott into the cage.

Kone escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDermott looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kone closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. McDermott quickly recovers to half guard.
McDermott tries to roll over but Kone keeps him under control.
Kone wants to pass to mount but McDermott is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Kone 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.
McDermott is trying to maintain the position but Kone is very close to passing his half guard.

McDermott is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kone pulls his head out easily.
Kone is taking a breather. McDermott says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
McDermott is trying to control but can't.
Kone prevents McDermott from improving his position.
Kone lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kone is thwarting McDermott's attempts to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDermott is trying to get back to full guard.

Kone is working for a kimura but McDermott is defending it quite comfortably.

McDermott looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kone is looking to take a break and control but McDermott is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. McDermott manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kone stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McDermott swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kone trying to control the position from guard on top but McDermott is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kone gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kone tries to clinch there but McDermott circles away.
McDermott avoids the body shot from Kone.
Kone lands an overhand right.
McDermott is looking to clinch but Kone is avoiding it.
Kone is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McDermott.
Kone throws a hook to the side of McDermott's head but McDermott sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McDermott tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kone takes a head kick and keeps coming.
McDermott tries to clinch up but Kone circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kone drives through with a takedown into guard.

McDermott looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

McDermott is looking for a triangle but Kone pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kone accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

McDermott escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kone gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kone scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

McDermott working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kone doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kone manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kone slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

McDermott is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kone is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian McDermott dominated that round.
That's time! McDermott's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McDermott keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kone.
Kone lands a jab to McDermott's midsection.

Kone moves into the clinch.
McDermott tries to stall but Kone uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Kone is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. McDermott can't fight it off and eventually Kone manages to take the fight to the floor. McDermott looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

McDermott throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kone cracks McDermott with a solid left hand.

McDermott looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kone stands and steps away. McDermott gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kone fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McDermott avoids it really well and circles away.
Kone is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDermott misses with an attempted mid kick.
Is Ku Kone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kone 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.
Kone shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McDermott pinned against the cage. McDermott gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McDermott tries to clinch up

and Kone counters by clinching up.
Kone wants to break the clinch but can't.
McDermott prevents the takedown attempt.
Christian McDermott has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Is Ku Kone.
McDermott tries to break the clinch but Kone is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McDermott is trying to maintain a safe position but Kone gets an underhook and turns McDermott into the cage.

Kone escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McDermott throws a series of punches but Kone avoids them all with ease.
Nice takedown defense from McDermott. No joy for Kone on that attempt.
Kone circles away from the clinch attempt.
McDermott wants to clinch.

McDermott looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kone is refusing to be controlled, as McDermott sits in half guard.

McDermott is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kone defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDermott 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.
McDermott trying to mount his opponent but Kone defends it.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McDermott moves into full mount! Kone won't be happy about that!
Kone really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McDermott. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McDermott trying to control but he's not successful this time.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kone can do anything to dispel that myth.

Kone has left one of his arms exposed and McDermott doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Kone screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Christian McDermott!