PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Morris McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Kova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kova has chosen Jääkärimarssi as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Seppo Kova has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McDonald
vs
Kova

173 cm
25
169 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

180 cm
24
169 lbs
10 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Morris McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Seppo Kova!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by McDonald.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

McDonald working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
McDonald creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kova sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
McDonald postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kova is trying to control McDonald's posture but McDonald avoids it.
McDonald working the head with strikes.

McDonald tries for a kimura but Kova is defending well.
Kova is looking to regain half guard here but McDonald keeps moving and retains side control.
McDonald looks up at the clock and then as Kova takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, McDonald smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kova takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kova tries to bench press McDonald off him but McDonald keeps the position.

McDonald is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kova has escaped the position, nice work there.
McDonald scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald is working Kova over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kova manages to get back to half guard.
Kova tries to get to full guard but McDonald has control of the leg.
Kova is trying to defend against the ground and pound but McDonald scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kova trying to hold on to McDonald's head to control him but McDonald postures up.

Kova looking for submissions off his back.
McDonald not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ground and pound from McDonald.
McDonald throwing shots but Kova is blocking nicely.
McDonald thows a huge punch but Kova dodges it nicely.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kova is trying to defend against the ground and pound but McDonald scores with a couple of nice shots.
McDonald prevents Kova from improving his position.
McDonald is thwarting Kova's attempts to control the position.
Kova makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kova.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

McDonald thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
McDonald throwing strikes but missing.
Kova is trying to control the position but McDonald postures up.
McDonald working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kova trying to control the position.

Kova working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McDonald doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McDonald manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McDonald lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McDonald stands up over Kova, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Kova looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kova looks gassed!

Kova is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McDonald is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald working some strikes from top position.
McDonald cracks Kova with a solid left hand.
McDonald with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Kova is looking for a triangle but McDonald pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald scoring with punches to the head and body.
McDonald trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McDonald with a flurry of punches that miss.
McDonald working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kova's head.
McDonald stands up over Kova, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
McDonald stops Kova from standing up.

Kova is working an open guard so McDonald takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kova throws a left and a right that both miss
and McDonald cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kova throws a combination that misses
and McDonald counters with a nice uppercut.
Seppo Kova is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonald lands with a nice body punch.
Kova rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald scores with a hook to the body. Kova takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kova throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McDonald.
Kova checks a low kick from McDonald.
McDonald with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kova looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McDonald swings for the body but Kova moves out of range.
McDonald connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nice takedown defense from Kova. No joy for McDonald on that attempt.
Kova misses with the combination.
McDonald avoids the head kick by Kova.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McDonald scoring well with a low kick there.
Kova throws a head kick that misses.
McDonald digs a good hook to Kova's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris McDonald dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McDonald scores with a decent looking hook.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Some wild striking there from Kova.
McDonald is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kova sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kova but Kova pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Seppo Kova is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McDonald will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Morris McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kova misses with a head kick.
McDonald chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kova can pounce on him.
Good leg kick by Kova there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kova throws a leg kick but McDonald checks it.
McDonald is looking to wear down Kova with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sloppy strikes from Kova. Those never looked like landing.
McDonald avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kova throws a right and a left that McDonald avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
McDonald misses with a wild body shot.
McDonald throws a looping overhand right but Kova ducks down to avoid it.

McDonald shoots in and gets a takedown into Kova's guard.
McDonald lands a couple of elbows.

Kova looking for a guillotine here but McDonald defends easily.

McDonald 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.
Kova has momentary wrist control but McDonald slips an elbow through the middle.
McDonald postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McDonald accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kova has momentary wrist control but McDonald slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald cracks Kova with a solid left hand.
McDonald connects with a couple of short punches.
Kova scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McDonald makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kova wants to stand but McDonald is controlling the position.
McDonald cracks Kova with a solid left hand.

Kova has his foot on McDonald's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McDonald works his way back into a safe position though.

McDonald drops back looking for a leg! Kova is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kova manages to kick McDonald off! McDonald jumps back into Kova's guard.
McDonald is in close to Kova's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kova trying to control the position.
McDonald trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McDonald throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kova avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kova manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Kova looks to land a combination but McDonald avoids it well.
Seppo Kova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Kova does no damage.
McDonald throws a jab but it's blocked by Kova.
Kova throws a series of punches but McDonald avoids them all with ease.
McDonald lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kova misses with a double jab.
Kova slaps away a takedown attempt from McDonald, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McDonald is defended easily by Kova.
McDonald misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kova throws a nice head kick!
Kova misses with a double jab

and McDonald counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kova won't be happy with that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kova wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
McDonald 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.

McDonald is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kova knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

McDonald is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kova is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
McDonald is putting a hurting on Kova here, landing some big shots from side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonald working the ground and pound.
McDonald is putting a hurting on Kova here, landing some big shots from side control.
McDonald scores with punches from side control.
Kova wants to control but McDonald postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris McDonald dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kova connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Morris McDonald is winning the standup battle so far.
Kova tries to land a front kick but McDonald steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McDonald misses with a takedown attempt - Kova sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kova throws a low kick, looking for McDonald's leg but McDonald calmly moves out of range.
Kova motions for McDonald to come forward. Kova throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kova swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McDonald makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kova throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kova throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kova will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kova displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McDonald.
Kova misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McDonald throws a leg kick but Kova sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kova checks a leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as McDonald blocks the leg kick.
Kova tries a low kick but McDonald avoids it.
Kova on the wrong end of a nice hook.
McDonald lands a jab to the head.
McDonald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown but Kova shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Morris McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kova throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kova throws a series of punches but McDonald avoids them all with ease.
Kova thumps McDonald with a low kick.
McDonald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McDonald dives in and grabs Kova's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kova pushes down on McDonald's head and hops out.
Morris McDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kova.
Kova throws a nice looking combination but McDonald bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kova throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kova misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kova throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kova lands a head kick!

McDonald drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
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!
McDonald sitting in guard here, content to control.
McDonald seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Kova for as long as he can get away with.

Kova is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Seppo Kova has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Kova has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McDonald can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
McDonald content to stall in guard here.
McDonald pushes down on Kova's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McDonald controlling the pace.
Kova wants to improve his position but McDonald is controlling well.
McDonald is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Morris McDonald wasn't doing enough on the ground.
McDonald checks a leg kick nicely.
Kova tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonald uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kova misses with a wild combination.
Kova throws a combination that misses

and McDonald counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kova's guard now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Morris McDonald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McDonald, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Morris McDonald!