PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mickey MacNamara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Luis Montoya Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). MacNamara kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Ain't no grave by Johnny Cash. Jose Luis Montoya Rivera told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

MacNamara
vs
Luis Montoya Rivera

156 cm
22
155 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

170 cm
27
156 lbs
20 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mickey MacNamara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jose Luis Montoya Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Luis Engracia and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Montoya Rivera tries to land a leg kick but MacNamara saw it coming and moves away.
Montoya Rivera has a takedown stuffed.
MacNamara thuds a left hand into Montoya Rivera's body.
Montoya Rivera throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Montoya Rivera does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A bone on bone clash there as MacNamara blocks the leg kick.
MacNamara throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Montoya Rivera.
MacNamara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Montoya Rivera moves away.
No joy there for MacNamara, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
MacNamara tries to bum rush Montoya Rivera with a series of wild strikes but Montoya Rivera uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
MacNamara missing with a left hand there. Montoya Rivera was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A slow jab from Montoya Rivera misses its intended target.
MacNamara tries to work over Montoya Rivera's front leg with a kick but Montoya Rivera checks it.
Montoya Rivera misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacNamara throws a nice looking combination but Montoya Rivera bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Montoya Rivera looks to land a right hand but MacNamara moved out of range.
Montoya Rivera takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Montoya Rivera moves into range and clinches up with MacNamara.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Montoya Rivera drags the fight down to the ground.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Montoya Rivera is looking for a triangle but MacNamara pushes his legs off easily.
Montoya Rivera has a closed guard, preventing MacNamara from standing up.
MacNamara trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

MacNamara gets to his feet - Montoya Rivera follows without any prompting.
Montoya Rivera scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
MacNamara misses with a leg kick
and Montoya Rivera counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A jab from MacNamara misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Montoya Rivera ducks under a wild hook from MacNamara.
MacNamara scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
MacNamara throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
MacNamara walks into a left hand.
A shot to the liver by Montoya Rivera. Beautiful body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from MacNamara.
Montoya Rivera moves out of range of the strikes.
MacNamara throws a predictable looking body shot
and Montoya Rivera counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Montoya Rivera uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by MacNamara.
MacNamara waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Montoya Rivera.
MacNamara swings for the body but Montoya Rivera moves out of range.
MacNamara is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Montoya Rivera's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Montoya Rivera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
MacNamara slips a jab from Montoya Rivera.
Montoya Rivera throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Montoya Rivera is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
MacNamara paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A shot to the body from MacNamara misses
and Montoya Rivera counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Montoya Rivera has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
MacNamara misses with a wild body shot.
MacNamara loads up on a big right hand but Montoya Rivera slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Montoya Rivera. That snapped MacNamara's head back.
Montoya Rivera fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Mickey MacNamara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A shot to the body from MacNamara misses
and Montoya Rivera counters with a lovely straight right hand!
MacNamara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Montoya Rivera.
MacNamara defending well as Montoya Rivera loads up on a big left hand.
MacNamara throws a leg kick but Montoya Rivera sees it coming and moves out of range.
MacNamara scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Montoya Rivera thows a body shot but no joy.
Montoya Rivera scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Montoya Rivera scores with a nice head shot.
Montoya Rivera works over MacNamara's head and body with a nice combination.
Montoya Rivera throws a leg kick
and MacNamara counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mickey MacNamara will probably get the nod.
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.

Montoya Rivera swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by MacNamara.
Some wild striking there from Montoya Rivera.
MacNamara swings for the body but Montoya Rivera moves out of range.
MacNamara throws a one two combo.
MacNamara attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
MacNamara scores with a hook to the body. Montoya Rivera takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Montoya Rivera avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Montoya Rivera throws an uppercut from half a mile away. MacNamara sees it coming and avoids it easily.
MacNamara on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A jab from Montoya Rivera finds it's way through MacNamara's defenses.
MacNamara is looking to wear down Montoya Rivera with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
MacNamara with a jab.
MacNamara misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacNamara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
MacNamara scores with a sloppy right hand. Montoya Rivera should have avoided that one.
MacNamara throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Montoya Rivera stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Montoya Rivera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
MacNamara blocks a body shot from Montoya Rivera.
MacNamara throws a head punch that misses.
MacNamara manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Montoya Rivera swings wildly with an uppercut but MacNamara uses good head movement to avoid it.
MacNamara takes a shot to the head.
MacNamara taking a breather.
MacNamara can't find room to land a body shot as Montoya Rivera controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera fails to pull guard.
Montoya Rivera blocks a body shot from MacNamara.
Montoya Rivera avoiding damage.
Montoya Rivera prevents a body shot from MacNamara.
MacNamara is trying to push Montoya Rivera away but Montoya Rivera has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Montoya Rivera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A looping hook to the body misses from MacNamara. Montoya Rivera does a little dance to reset his feet.
MacNamara with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Montoya Rivera to score with a decent uppercut.
Montoya Rivera lands a jab 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!
Montoya Rivera scores with a jab. MacNamara acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
MacNamara throws a one two combo.
Montoya Rivera loads up on a big right hand but MacNamara slips the punch.
MacNamara thows a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacNamara changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Montoya Rivera looks to throw the jab but MacNamara is out of range.
MacNamara lands a slapping body shot.
A combination from MacNamara does no damage.
Montoya Rivera throws a big shot that misses.
Montoya Rivera connects with a good right hand that stumbles MacNamara. MacNamara circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Montoya Rivera fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Montoya Rivera shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Montoya Rivera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

MacNamara rushes Montoya Rivera and presses him up against the cage.
MacNamara misses with a hook to the ribs.
Montoya Rivera lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A bit of stalling here from MacNamara.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera works on MacNamara's body with a couple of short punches.
MacNamara tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Montoya Rivera ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Montoya Rivera no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

MacNamara decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
MacNamara throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Montoya Rivera sees it coming and avoids it easily.
MacNamara misses with a hook. Montoya Rivera ducked under it nicely.
Montoya Rivera feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits MacNamaras jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
MacNamara looks to score with a jab to the body but Montoya Rivera is just out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
MacNamara throws a solid leg kick but Montoya Rivera takes the impact on his shin and smiles at MacNamara.
MacNamara moves out of range of the body kick.
Nice body punch from Montoya Rivera.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey MacNamara dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

MacNamara attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Montoya Rivera is looking to slow MacNamara down with leg kicks.
MacNamara fails in his attempt to clinch.
Montoya Rivera chopping away at his opponent's legs.
MacNamara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Montoya Rivera.
Mickey MacNamara is winning the standup battle so far.
MacNamara takes one on the button.
MacNamara fails with an attempt to clinch.
Montoya Rivera throws a hook but MacNamara blocks it.
MacNamara misses with a series of wild punches.
MacNamara throws a chopping leg kick but Montoya Rivera manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Montoya Rivera throws a chopping leg kick but MacNamara manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
MacNamara takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacNamara is looking to clinch.
MacNamara connects with a body shot that sends Montoya Rivera's belly button to the back.
MacNamara takes one on the button.
Montoya Rivera shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
MacNamara misses with a body shot.
MacNamara works Montoya Rivera's body with a nice hook.
MacNamara misses with a wild body shot.
Montoya Rivera fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Montoya Rivera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
MacNamara misses the shot to the body.
MacNamara misses with a lunging right hand

and Montoya Rivera counters with a single leg into guard. MacNamara didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
MacNamara keeping moving, preventing Montoya Rivera from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera stopping the sweep attempt from MacNamara.
MacNamara utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Montoya Rivera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Montoya Rivera controls from within his opponent's guard.
Montoya Rivera wants to control from the top but MacNamara keeps moving.
Jose Luis Montoya Rivera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Jose Luis Montoya Rivera has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
MacNamara takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Montoya Rivera moves forwards but MacNamara connects with a nice, crisp jab.
MacNamara tries to clinch but Montoya Rivera moves away
and Montoya Rivera counters with a stiff right hand.

Montoya Rivera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
MacNamara trying to stall but Montoya Rivera improves his position.
Mickey MacNamara is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Montoya Rivera goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Montoya Rivera prevents a body shot from MacNamara.
Montoya Rivera blocks a body shot from MacNamara.
MacNamara blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montoya Rivera misses with a short punch on the inside.
Montoya Rivera swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by MacNamara as Montoya Rivera tries to tie him up.
MacNamara working aggressively here.
Montoya Rivera fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Montoya Rivera doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Montoya Rivera lands a nice uppercut.
MacNamara looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A right hand to the body from Montoya Rivera.
Montoya Rivera works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Montoya Rivera lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Montoya Rivera misses with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Montoya Rivera has MacNamara pressed against the cage.
MacNamara tries to work over Montoya Rivera's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Luis Montoya Rivera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think MacNamara has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mickey MacNamara!
In his post fight interview, Mickey MacNamara started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.