PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Padraig McNamara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy Botwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McNamara
vs
Botwin

177 cm
21
170 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

184 cm
22
179 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BLKOUT Clothing
BLKOUT Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Padraig McNamara!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Andy Botwin!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, William Gold and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McNamara feints and as Botwin raises his hands in defense, McNamara changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
McNamara trying to control but Botwin is working from the bottom.
McNamara postures up and lands a big shot to Botwin's brow.

Botwin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McNamara throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McNamara stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Botwin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Botwin is trying to keep McNamara in close.
McNamara is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McNamara is in close to Botwin's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Botwin working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because McNamara has passed into half guard!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McNamara not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McNamara is looking to advance position but Botwin won't allow it.
McNamara thows a huge punch but Botwin dodges it nicely.
Botwin wants to improve his position but McNamara is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botwin regains full guard. Nicely done.
Botwin wants to sweep here but McNamara controlling him for the moment.
Botwin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Botwin is looking for a triangle but McNamara pushes his legs off easily.

Botwin working for a triangle but McNamara defends it easily.
McNamara trying to control the position from guard on top but Botwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

McNamara got a little sloppy there for a moment and Botwin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McNamara has managed to get both his arms back between Botwin's legs - danger averted.
Botwin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McNamara trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Botwin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McNamara wants to control from the top but Botwin keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNamara throws a big right hand that misses.

Botwin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McNamara gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Botwin looking for a guillotine here but McNamara defends easily.
McNamara pushing down on Botwin's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Botwin has hold of McNamara's hands but McNamara slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
McNamara is trying to control. Botwin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Botwin is looking to improve his position.
McNamara working Botwin over with strikes.
Botwin is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McNamara connects with a nice short shot to Botwin's temple.
Botwin is trying to get back to full guard.

Botwin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
McNamara looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Botwin tries to get to full guard but McNamara has control of the leg.
McNamara seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Botwin works his way to full guard. Good work.
McNamara is looking to work some ground and pound but Botwin has wrist control.
Botwin trying to keep a closed guard but McNamara is proving a slippery customer.

Botwin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McNamara doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McNamara manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Botwin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McNamara gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNamara working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Botwin's head.
McNamara throwing strikes but missing.
McNamara scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
McNamara lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Botwin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McNamara can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
McNamara postures up and lands a big shot to Botwin's brow.
Botwin doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Botwin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McNamara looking to pass the guard.
Botwin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Padraig McNamara dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

McNamara missing with a left hand there. Botwin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Botwin takes one to the chin there.
Botwin connects with a high kick.
A swing and a miss from Botwin.
Botwin throws a half hearted mid kick.
McNamara fails to land with a series of punches.
Botwin throws a leg kick but McNamara sees it coming and moves out of range.
McNamara misses with a looping left.
McNamara looks to land a right hand but Botwin moved out of range.
Botwin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McNamara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Botwin moves away.
Botwin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botwin lands with a kick to the ribs.
Botwin is looking to score with low kicks.
Botwin lunges at McNamara with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McNamara's hand.
Botwin throws out a loose jab but McNamara uses good head movement to avoid it.
Botwin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McNamara.
Botwin throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McNamara on the side of the head.
McNamara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Botwin fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McNamara.
Botwin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Botwin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Botwin throws a push kick but McNamara slaps the foot to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Botwin throws a head kick that misses.
McNamara lands a nice hook to Botwin's body. Botwin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McNamara looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Botwin is fending him off so far but McNamara persists. Nope, Botwin circles away and we're back to standing.
Botwin tries a head kick but it misses.
Botwin drops his hands momentarily and McNamara takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
McNamara moves out of range as Botwin throws a body kick.
Botwin lands a lovely overhand right.
McNamara sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Botwin throws a leg kick but McNamara sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Botwin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McNamara fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNamara blocks a head kick by Botwin.
Botwin misses with a straight right.
McNamara throws a jab but it's blocked by Botwin.

McNamara fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Botwin sprawls well initially but McNamara persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Botwin trying to control here.
McNamara drops an elbow to the side of Botwin's head.
Botwin is looking to control McNamara's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Botwin avoid being mounted?
Botwin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
McNamara distracts Botwin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
McNamara scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McNamara avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Botwin wants to sweep here but McNamara controlling him for the moment.
McNamara missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McNamara cracks Botwin with a solid left hand.
Botwin wants to sweep but no luck.
McNamara throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Botwin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McNamara is looking to work some ground and pound but Botwin has wrist control.
Botwin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Botwin has momentary wrist control but McNamara slips an elbow through the middle.
McNamara postures up.
Padraig McNamara overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McNamara lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McNamara with a nice head shot there.
Botwin looking for a sweep. Not yet Botwin, not yet.
Botwin keeping moving, preventing McNamara from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andy Botwin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McNamara throws a poor cross that misses
and Botwin counters with a head kick.
McNamara swats away the attempt to clinch by Botwin.
Botwin throws a head kick that McNamara semi-blocks.
McNamara connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
McNamara throws a lazy right hand but Botwin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McNamara moves out of range as Botwin strikes.
Botwin is looking to clinch.
McNamara throws a body punch but Botwin moves out of range.
McNamara works the jab nicely.
McNamara misses with a body shot.
Botwin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNamara misses with a hook. Botwin ducked under it nicely.
McNamara fails with a takedown attempt.
Botwin misses with a head kick.
Botwin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McNamara avoids the head kick by Botwin.
A nice leg kick lands there from Botwin.
McNamara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Botwin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Botwin throws a nice inside leg kick.
Botwin slips under a jab.
McNamara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Botwin.
Botwin throws a low kick but McNamara avoids it.
Botwin throws a head kick that misses.
Botwin throws a jab when McNamara was well out of range.
McNamara shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Padraig McNamara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A slapping body kick lands there for Botwin.
Botwin gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Botwin pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Botwin avoids the body shot from McNamara.
An inside leg kick lands from Botwin.
Botwin looks to throw the jab but McNamara is out of range.

Botwin tries to sprawl but McNamara drives through with a takedown into half guard.
McNamara wants to free his trapped foot but Botwin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Botwin gets full guard.
McNamara wants to control from the top but Botwin keeps moving.
Botwin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Botwin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McNamara manages to get himself to full guard.
McNamara has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNamara manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Botwin manages to get himself to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Botwin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McNamara can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Botwin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Botwin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Botwin wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Botwin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McNamara trying to control but Botwin is working from the bottom.

Botwin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Andy Botwin just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A big left from Botwin misses.
Botwin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Andy Botwin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Botwin digs a good body shot into McNamara's ribs.
Botwin goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McNamara fails with a takedown attempt.
McNamara steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Botwin.
McNamara takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Botwin attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Jab from McNamara.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botwin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McNamara fails with a takedown attempt.
Botwin scores with a leg kick.
Botwin wants to clinch up but McNamara keeps it at a distance.
McNamara on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
McNamara is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Some wild striking there from Botwin.
McNamara slips under a jab from Botwin.
Andy Botwin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Botwin misses with a body kick.
McNamara throws an overhand right that lands on Botwin's shoulder, as Botwin tries to avoid the shot.
McNamara shoots in for a double leg but Botwin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Padraig McNamara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Botwin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Botwin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McNamara shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Botwin pinned against the cage. Botwin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McNamara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Botwin.
McNamara pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McNamara circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Botwin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Botwin throws a wild body kick that McNamara sees coming a mile off.
McNamara thows a body shot but no joy.
Botwin moves out of range as McNamara strikes.
Botwin misses with a head kick.
Botwin tries to clinch up but McNamara circles away and keeps his distance.
McNamara avoids the head kick by Botwin.
Nice sprawl there from Botwin as McNamara shoots in.
Botwin throws a sloppy head kick and McNamara moves out of range easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Botwin lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and McNamara has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from McNamara and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNamara connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Botwin's hands.

McNamara shoots in and bounces Botwin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Botwin throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Botwin is on top in guard.
McNamara has Botwin pulled in close to control his posture.
Botwin wants to control from the top but McNamara keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McNamara working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Botwin dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

McNamara fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A swing and a miss from McNamara.
Botwin is looking to clinch.
McNamara fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
McNamara walks forward, straight into a front kick from Botwin.
Botwin throws a head kick that misses.
McNamara will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McNamara throws a hook to the side of Botwin's head but Botwin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McNamara misses with a straight right.
McNamara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botwin throws a body punch but McNamara moves out of range.
McNamara avoids the head kick by Botwin.
Botwin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A swing and a miss from McNamara.
Botwin ducks under a wild hook from McNamara.
Botwin misses with an uppercut. McNamara saw that one coming.
Botwin goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A looping hook to the body misses from McNamara. Botwin does a little dance to reset his feet.
A bone on bone clash there as McNamara blocks the leg kick.
McNamara throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Botwin stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Botwin throws a quick head kick that skims the top of McNamara's head.
Andy Botwin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McNamara scores with a jab. Botwin acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Botwin just misses with a punch to the body.
Botwin thows a body shot but no joy.
Botwin scores with a leg kick.
Botwin lands with a hook. McNamara tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Botwin connects with an inside leg kick.
Botwin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McNamara.
Botwin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McNamara was well out of range. Poor timing from Botwin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horrible takedown by McNamara or perhaps it was just good defense by Botwin which made him look bad.
Padraig McNamara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Botwin.
Botwin throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
McNamara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McNamara fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Padraig McNamara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good standup being displayed there by Botwin as he connects with a hook.
Botwin chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Botwin is looking to slow McNamara down with leg kicks.
McNamara shoots in looking for a takedown but Botwin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McNamara's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Botwin enables McNamara to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Botwin manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
McNamara working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Botwin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Botwin has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think McNamara should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Botwin has tightened it up now! McNamara should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Andy Botwin!
Andy Botwin is the new welterweight champion!