PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike MacDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Sullivan (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.

MacDonald
vs
Sullivan

175 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike MacDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tim Sullivan!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Ackerman and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sullivan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sullivan looks for a takedown but MacDonald sprawls well.
Sullivan with a lazy takedown attempt
and MacDonald counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mike MacDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Sullivan.
No luck for Sullivan with that takedown attempt.

MacDonald gets tackled into the cage by Sullivan. Sullivan maintains the clinch.

MacDonald breaks the clinch.

Sullivan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sullivan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. MacDonald smiles and moves away.

Sullivan gets a clinch.
MacDonald tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
MacDonald tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
MacDonald tries to land a knee to the head but Sullivan blocks with his arms.
MacDonald scores with a knee to the head.

MacDonald has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Sullivan is trying to keep an underhook but MacDonald manages to get the takedown into half guard.
MacDonald with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. MacDonald lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sullivan is trying to control but can't.
MacDonald throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sullivan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
MacDonald missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
MacDonald not doing much here.
Sullivan has hold of MacDonald's hands but MacDonald slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sullivan is looking to escape.
MacDonald sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mike MacDonald wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sullivan misses with the combination.
Sullivan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

MacDonald takes the fight into the clinch.
MacDonald tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sullivan prevents the takedown attempt.
Sullivan takes a knee right on the jaw!
MacDonald throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sullivan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sullivan tries to pull guard but MacDonald holds him up against the cage and eventually Sullivan drops back down to his feet.

MacDonald escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sullivan is defended easily by MacDonald.

MacDonald moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sullivan takes an elbow to the forehead.

MacDonald escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sullivan goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Sullivan looks gassed!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
MacDonald stalls.
MacDonald lands a nice elbow.
Sullivan lands with a short head shot on the inside.
MacDonald looking to throw knees to the head but Sullivan is blocking nicely.
Sullivan takes a knee right on the jaw!
MacDonald pressing his opponent against the cage.
MacDonald blocks an elbow strike from Sullivan.

MacDonald manages to break the clinch.
Sullivan throws a head kick but MacDonald moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sullivan fails to pull guard.
Sullivan misses with a hook from the clinch.
MacDonald avoiding damage.
MacDonald with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
MacDonald throws a knee to the head but misses.
MacDonald misses with a knee to the head.
MacDonald drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
MacDonald pressing his opponent against the cage.
MacDonald landing knees to the head.
MacDonald stalling against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sullivan.
MacDonald throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sullivan blocks it with crossed arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike MacDonald dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

MacDonald gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sullivan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. MacDonald gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sullivan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
MacDonald lands a knee to the head.

Sullivan jumps guard.
MacDonald pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sullivan is keeping the position for now.
MacDonald lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
MacDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Sullivan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
MacDonald stays in close to Sullivan's body and controls the position.
MacDonald has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sullivan is proving hard to escape from.
Sullivan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
MacDonald wants to control from the top but Sullivan keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Sullivan has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sullivan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. MacDonald gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Mike MacDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Sullivan.
Sullivan is trying to stall.

MacDonald breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Sullivan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sullivan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
MacDonald dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
MacDonald tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
MacDonald is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
MacDonald is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sullivan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

MacDonald's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
MacDonald throws a sloppy head kick and Sullivan moves out of range easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

MacDonald pushes Sullivan up against the cage in a clinch.
MacDonald keeps control of Sullivan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sullivan walks away with a smile on his face. MacDonald gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tim Sullivan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

MacDonald closes the distance and pushes Sullivan back into the cage.
Sullivan wants to stall.
Sullivan can't get the takedown.
MacDonald tries a knee to the head but Sullivan blocks it.
MacDonald tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sullivan smiles and moves away.
Tim Sullivan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sullivan clinches up with MacDonald and pushes him back against the cage.

Sullivan pulls guard successfully.
MacDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
MacDonald pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sullivan is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sullivan controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sullivan trying to keep a closed guard but MacDonald is proving a slippery customer.
Sullivan wants to stand but MacDonald is controlling the position.
MacDonald looking to pass the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Tim Sullivan.
Sullivan shoots in looking for a takedown. MacDonald tries to sprawl out of it but Sullivan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. MacDonald manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sullivan shoots and misses
and MacDonald counters with a nice body kick.

MacDonald closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

MacDonald pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Sullivan tries to keep at a distance but MacDonald has taken the fight into the clinch.
MacDonald blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MacDonald's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

MacDonald clinches.

MacDonald breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
MacDonald misses with a head kick.

Sullivan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
MacDonald with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
MacDonald misses with a knee strike.
MacDonald throws a punch but it's blocked by Sullivan.
MacDonald tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
MacDonald swings away with an uppercut that misses.
MacDonald lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sullivan backwards.

Sullivan breaks from the clinch.

MacDonald instigates a clinch.
Nice elbow from MacDonald.
MacDonald is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sullivan pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sullivan tries to pull guard but MacDonald holds him up against the cage and eventually Sullivan drops back down to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike MacDonald dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sullivan rushes MacDonald and presses him up against the cage.
MacDonald pressing his opponent against the cage.
MacDonald misses with a knee strike.
Sullivan lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Sullivan manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Sullivan trying to keep a closed guard but MacDonald is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sullivan wants to stand and escape but MacDonald is having none of it.
Sullivan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
MacDonald throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sullivan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
MacDonald throwing strikes from guard but Sullivan blocks nicely.
MacDonald is in close to Sullivan's body, working some short punches and elbows.
MacDonald lands a couple of digs.
MacDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
MacDonald throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sullivan wants to sweep but no luck.
MacDonald has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sullivan working a defensive guard here.
MacDonald trying to control but Sullivan is working from the bottom.
MacDonald lands a couple of elbows.
Sullivan controls MacDonald momentarily but MacDonald frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sullivan has a closed guard, preventing MacDonald from standing up.
MacDonald working some strikes from top position.
Sullivan is trying to control the position but MacDonald postures up.
MacDonald content to stall in guard here.
MacDonald postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
MacDonald controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sullivan misses with a double jab.
MacDonald lands with a kick to the temple. Sullivan shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
MacDonald throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
MacDonald throws a head kick that Sullivan semi-blocks.

MacDonald drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
MacDonald throws a big right hand that misses.
MacDonald thows a big elbow that misses.
MacDonald landing with the ground and pound.
Sullivan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst MacDonald is controlling him.
MacDonald is in close to Sullivan's body, working some short punches and elbows.

MacDonald got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sullivan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, MacDonald has managed to get both his arms back between Sullivan's legs - danger averted.
MacDonald 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.
MacDonald is in close to Sullivan's body, working some short punches and elbows.
MacDonald stops Sullivan from standing up.
MacDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Sullivan has wrist control.
MacDonald throws a big right hand that misses.
Sullivan wants to get back to his feet but MacDonald is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sullivan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mike MacDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sullivan wants to stand but MacDonald is controlling the position.
MacDonald cracks Sullivan with a solid left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
MacDonald distracts Sullivan with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tim Sullivan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sullivan wants to get back to his feet but MacDonald is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
MacDonald makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike MacDonald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well MacDonald has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27

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