PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Mcdonel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeremy Stephens (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.

Mcdonel
vs
Stephens

180 cm
24
170 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

176 cm
23
166 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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Empire Threads - The Best $15 You've Ever Spent!

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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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jesse Mcdonel !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jeremy Stephens!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, David Schapiro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephens tries to clinch but Mcdonel is having none of it.
Stephens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Stephens looking to score a takedown here. Mcdonel is defending well but Stephens drives through and ends up in Mcdonel 's guard.
Stephens tries to free his leg and advance position but Mcdonel is retaining full guard.
Mcdonel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stephens looking to sit in guard and control but Mcdonel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mcdonel would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mcdonel seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jesse Mcdonel wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Mcdonel lands with a nice body punch.
Mcdonel lands a head shot.
Stephens is looking to clinch but Mcdonel is avoiding it.
A combination from Stephens does no damage.
Stephens tries to clinch but Mcdonel moves out of range.
Mcdonel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stephens.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stephens.

Mcdonel fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Stephens to the ground. Mcdonel is now in Stephens's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens wants to sweep here but Mcdonel controlling him for the moment.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Mcdonel trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Stephens manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Mcdonel wants to sweep here but Stephens controlling him for the moment.
Mcdonel manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mcdonel wants to take Stephens's back but he can't do it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcdonel tries to control but Stephens wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Mcdonel stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Mcdonel as Stephens shoots in.
Jesse Mcdonel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeremy Stephens.

Stephens drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mcdonel is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stephens postures up in Mcdonel 's guard and throws a big left but Mcdonel blocks it.
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 Jesse Mcdonel will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stephens doesn't manage to clinch there - Mcdonel circles away.
Stephens is looking to clinch but Mcdonel is avoiding it.
Mcdonel scores with a body shot.
Stephens tries to clinch up.
Mcdonel has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Stephens misses with a few strikes there.
Mcdonel lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Stephens looks for a takedown but Mcdonel sprawls well.
Mcdonel tries to clinch up but Stephens circles away and keeps his distance.

Stephens shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Mcdonel regains full guard. Nicely done.
Stephens must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcdonel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mcdonel lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stephens!

Mcdonel looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Stephens tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephens is squirming around, avoiding Mcdonel 's attempts to control the action.
Jesse Mcdonel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Mcdonel is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Mcdonel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Stephens shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Mcdonel napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Stephens working away.
Mcdonel tries to buck Stephens off but Stephens is having none of it.
Mcdonel gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mcdonel works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mcdonel is keeping the position for now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mcdonel is on top in guard.
Mcdonel wants to control from the top but Stephens keeps moving.
Mcdonel tries to free his leg and advance position but Stephens is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcdonel wants to control from the top but Stephens keeps moving.

We're going to have a standup here because Jesse Mcdonel wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Stephens blocks a head kick by Mcdonel .
Stephens with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Mcdonel counter with a right hand.
Mcdonel wants to clinch.
Stephens tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mcdonel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stephens tries to clinch up but Mcdonel circles away and keeps his distance.
Jesse Mcdonel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stephens shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mcdonel pinned against the cage. Mcdonel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jesse Mcdonel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeremy Stephens.
Mcdonel shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stephens pinned against the cage. Stephens gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Mcdonel dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Stephens looks for a takedown but Mcdonel sprawls well.
Stephens fails with the takedown.
Mcdonel misses with a two punch combination.
Stephens fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mcdonel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stephens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stephens fails with the takedown.
Jesse Mcdonel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeremy Stephens.
Stephens wants to clinch up but Mcdonel keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcdonel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mcdonel wants it to stay on the feet.
Stephens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mcdonel keeps the fight on the outside.
Mcdonel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stephens avoids it really well and circles away.
Mcdonel shoots in for a takedown but Stephens shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Mcdonel closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Stephens quickly recovers to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Stephens can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mcdonel trying to mount his opponent but Stephens defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mcdonel decides to stand up.

Stephens rushes Mcdonel and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mcdonel is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Stephens pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stephens shoots in looking for a takedown but Mcdonel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stephens's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stephens stuffs the takedown attempt from Mcdonel . Mcdonel gets slowly back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stephens shoots in for a takedown but Mcdonel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Mcdonel blocks the low kick.
Mcdonel lands a jab to the head.
Stephens misses with a takedown attempt
and Mcdonel connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stephens tries for a takedown but Mcdonel circles away easily
and Mcdonel counters with a series of strikes. Stephens will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mcdonel fails with the takedown.
Stephens looks for a takedown but Mcdonel sprawls well.
Mcdonel tries for a takedown but Stephens sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jeremy Stephens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stephens wants to clinch.
Stephens takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephens misses with a few strikes there.
Mcdonel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stephens defends it nicely.
Mcdonel tries a head kick but it misses.
Mcdonel looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stephens tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mcdonel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mcdonel tries to clinch but Stephens is having none of it.
Jesse Mcdonel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mcdonel shoots in but no luck this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jesse Mcdonel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mcdonel , 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesse Mcdonel !
Jesse Mcdonel made sure to mention his sponsor, Empire Threads - The Best $15 You've Ever Spent! in his post fight interview.