PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zack McCarty (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Howell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

McCarty
vs
Howell

199 cm
24
265 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

200 cm
25
255 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Zack McCarty!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Howell!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Summer Carpenter and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCarty looks to land a combination but Howell avoids it well.
Howell tries to clinch up.
Howell takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
McCarty digs a good hook to Howell's body.
Howell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McCarty misses with a double jab
and Howell makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. McCarty really felt that one!
McCarty scores with a nice strike.
Howell tries to work over McCarty's front leg with a kick but McCarty checks it.
Howell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McCarty throws out the jab.
Howell changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McCarty tries to avoid it but Howell manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McCarty to the ground. McCarty escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Howell doesn't manage to clinch there - McCarty circles away.
McCarty throws a leg kick that misses.
Howell shoots in for a takedown but McCarty shows good takedown defense.
McCarty closes the distance looking to clinch

and Howell counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCarty controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Howell is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howell trying to control the position from guard on top but McCarty is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Howell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McCarty works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Howell tries to stand but McCarty is controlling from the bottom.
Howell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Howell has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Howell content to stall in guard here.

That's two 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.
Howell throws a big right hand that misses.
Howell won't allow McCarty to sweep him here.
McCarty keeping full guard, as Howell tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCarty is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

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

Howell clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarty wants to get back to striking at distance but Howell won't allow it.

Howell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McCarty swings widly with a right hand

and Howell counters with a shoot takedown. McCarty fights it but they end up in guard.

Howell drops back, looking for a kneebar! McCarty looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. McCarty looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from McCarty!
McCarty working away.
Howell is trying to improve his position.
McCarty works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
McCarty with the ground and pound but Howell regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Howell is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howell is trying to maintain the position but McCarty is very close to passing his half guard.
McCarty throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Howell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McCarty is working away from the top position though.
Howell blocking the ground and pound attempt from McCarty.
McCarty sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Howell defending well though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Howell gets back to full guard.
McCarty trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Howell keeps the fight on the outside.

Howell closes the distance and pushes McCarty back into the cage.
Howell looking for a takedown.
Howell working McCarty over with knees to the body.
Howell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as McCarty walks away with a smile on his face. Howell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
McCarty lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Josh Howell has been cut.
McCarty misses with a leg kick

and Howell counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
McCarty working hard to break the clinch.
Howell fails to pull guard.
Zack McCarty has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Howell.
McCarty tries to stall but Howell uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
McCarty on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Howell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Howell gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McCarty counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McCarty misses with a hook

and Howell moves into the clinch.
Howell tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McCarty smiles and moves away.
Howell wants to clinch but McCarty slips to the side
and McCarty counters with a left and a right that stings Howell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarty lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Zack McCarty is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McCarty defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Howell.
Howell is breathing heavily.
McCarty tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Howell manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Howell closes the distance and clinches up with McCarty, looking for a takedown. Howell pushes McCarty against the cage but McCarty circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Howell on the wrong end of a nice jab.
McCarty lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Howell at a distance.
McCarty lands a nice shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCarty throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McCarty lands a body shot.
McCarty shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Howell eats them both and turns towards McCarty to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
McCarty lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
McCarty throws a series of strikes that have Howell backpedaling.
McCarty cracks Howell with a right hand to the side of the head.
McCarty misses with a two punch combination.
McCarty tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Howell manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McCarty moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That has opened up Josh Howell's cut even more.
McCarty misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from McCarty.
Howell slips a jab and a cross from McCarty.
McCarty connects with a body shot.
Howell fails with the takedown
letting McCarty counter with a right hand.
McCarty fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Howell on the side of the head.
Howell looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McCarty is fending him off so far but Howell persists. Nope, McCarty circles away and we're back to standing.
McCarty cracks Howell with a right hand to the side of the head.
McCarty fails in his attempt to clinch.
McCarty scores with a nice head shot.
McCarty punishes Howell's body with a nice straight punch.
McCarty cracks Howell with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Good work by Howell as he checks the leg kick.
McCarty throws a series of strikes that have Howell backpedaling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howell has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
McCarty slips under a jab.
McCarty swings widly with a right hand

and Howell counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
McCarty wants to get back to his feet.
Howell trying to control from half guard but McCarty is working away.

Howell 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.
The fighters are battling for position here. McCarty manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Howell drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and McCarty dives on top into guard.

McCarty decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Howell drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack McCarty dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Josh Howell's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Howell darts in and clinches McCarty up against the cage.

McCarty breaks from the clinch.
Howell fails with the takedown

and McCarty counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by McCarty.
Howell tries to throw a body punch but McCarty avoids it by throwing Howell back against the cage.
McCarty wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Howell tries for a takedown. No joy.
Howell tries to score a body lock takedown but McCarty shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zack McCarty has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Howell.
McCarty is trying to push Howell away but Howell has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Howell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as McCarty walks away with a smile on his face. Howell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
McCarty looks to score with a jab to the body but Howell is just out of range.
McCarty throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McCarty shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Howell eats them both and turns towards McCarty to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Howell doesn't manage to clinch there - McCarty circles away.
A low kick from McCarty is predictable there

and Howell counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for McCarty!
McCarty wants to hold on but Howell pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howell trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Howell moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, McCarty has worked his arm free - good work by McCarty!

Howell tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Howell wants to stand but McCarty has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.

That's two 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.
Howell tries to free his leg and advance position but McCarty is retaining full guard.
McCarty has his hands on Howell's head, controlling the position.
Howell trying to control the position from guard on top but McCarty is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howell wants to stand but McCarty is controlling his posture from full guard.
Howell sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed McCarty's guard.
Howell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McCarty defending well though.
Howell is looking to take a break and control but McCarty is keeping him honest, looking to work 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.
Howell trying to pass the guard but McCarty defending well.
Josh Howell has got the better of the ground game so far.
Howell wants to take a breather but McCarty is having none of it.
McCarty keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McCarty on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McCarty tries to get out of the position.
Howell trying to pass the guard but McCarty defending well.
Howell wants to take a breather but McCarty is having none of it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Josh Howell.
Howell doesn't manage to clinch there - McCarty circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Howell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Howell 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Howell!