PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shane MacLain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thom Sawyer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). MacLain's entrance music is Drowning Pool - Bodies (Let The Bodies Hit The Floor. A fine choice. Sawyer has chosen RUSH - THOM SAWYER as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

MacLain
vs
Sawyer

174 cm
24
169 lbs
6 - 8 - 1

175 cm
29
175 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Olympic wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 6 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shane MacLain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thom Sawyer!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacLain scores with a three punch combo!

Sawyer looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

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

Sawyer thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Sawyer drops back looking for a leg! MacLain is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and MacLain manages to kick Sawyer off! Sawyer jumps back into MacLain's guard.
Sawyer stopping the sweep attempt from MacLain.

Sawyer drops back looking for a leg! MacLain is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and MacLain manages to kick Sawyer off! Sawyer jumps back into MacLain's guard.

MacLain has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sawyer off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sawyer walks into a left hand.

Sawyer gets a takedown into half guard.
MacLain trying to control from the bottom.

Sawyer looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Sawyer seems to be looking for submissions.

Sawyer is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and MacLain defends it well.

Sawyer is working for a submission of some sort.
MacLain slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer drops back, looking for a kneebar! MacLain looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. MacLain looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from MacLain!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sawyer can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sawyer is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Sawyer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but MacLain pulls his head out easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

MacLain is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sawyer defends it well.
Sawyer tries to roll over but MacLain keeps him under control.
MacLain wants to free his trapped foot but Sawyer is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sawyer looking for submissions off his back.

Sawyer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but MacLain pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacLain trying to control from half guard but Sawyer is working away.

Sawyer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
MacLain winds up and cracks Sawyer with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Sawyer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Sawyer actively working from the bottom here.

Sawyer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sawyer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
MacLain wants to stand up but Sawyer is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacLain not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sawyer makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sawyer.
MacLain makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Sawyer working for a triangle but MacLain defends it easily.

Sawyer working for a triangle but MacLain defends it easily.
Sawyer keeping moving, preventing MacLain from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sawyer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
MacLain stands up over Sawyer, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
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 Shane MacLain will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sawyer shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
MacLain bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Sawyer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Sawyer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and MacLain defends well.
Sawyer has momentary wrist control but MacLain slips an elbow through the middle.
MacLain trying to control but Sawyer is working from the bottom.
MacLain tries to free his leg and advance position but Sawyer is retaining full guard.

Sawyer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. MacLain doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. MacLain manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
MacLain throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Sawyer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
MacLain trying to control but Sawyer is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Sawyer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
MacLain trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
MacLain wants to get up but he can't break Sawyer's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
MacLain connects with a couple of short punches.

Sawyer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

MacLain thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer looking for subs off his back but MacLain has passed one foot through into half guard.
MacLain lands with a punch from half guard.
MacLain trying to control the action but Sawyer is working from the bottom.
Sawyer is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of MacLain's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take MacLain's back!
MacLain turns into Sawyer and is now in his guard.

Sawyer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MacLain lands a couple of elbows.

Sawyer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Sawyer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. MacLain defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. MacLain defends it easily.
MacLain would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Sawyer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
MacLain scoring with punches to the head and body.

Sawyer working for a triangle but MacLain defends it easily.
MacLain wants to get up but he can't break Sawyer's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
MacLain works over Sawyer with some ground and pound from guard.
MacLain trying to control but Sawyer is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Sawyer working for a triangle but MacLain defends it easily.

MacLain avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Sawyer looking for a guillotine here but MacLain defends easily.
Sawyer is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
MacLain throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Shane MacLain will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

MacLain looks for a takedown but Sawyer sprawls well.

Sawyer looking to score a takedown here. MacLain is defending well but Sawyer drives through and ends up in MacLain's guard.

MacLain had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sawyer defends it easily.

Sawyer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sawyer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sawyer thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sawyer stopping the sweep attempt from MacLain.

Sawyer 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.
MacLain 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sawyer thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Sawyer drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but MacLain manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sawyer has MacLain in his guard.

Sawyer isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. MacLain stacks Sawyer on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by MacLain!
Sawyer manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
MacLain thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
MacLain is trying to control the action in half guard but Sawyer is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
MacLain lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sawyer regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacLain wants to control from the top but Sawyer keeps moving.
MacLain looking to pass the guard.

Sawyer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Sawyer has his foot on MacLain's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. MacLain works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sawyer is looking for a triangle but MacLain pushes his legs off easily.
Sawyer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Sawyer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
MacLain is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
MacLain working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MacLain got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sawyer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, MacLain has managed to get both his arms back between Sawyer's legs - danger averted.
MacLain is working Sawyer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sawyer has momentary wrist control but MacLain slips an elbow through the middle.

MacLain stands up from guard. Let's bang!
MacLain shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sawyer sprawls well. Sawyer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. MacLain gets slowly back to his feet.
Sawyer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from MacLain.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane MacLain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
MacLain shoots for a takedown but Sawyer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
MacLain misses with a double jab.

Sawyer shoots in and bounces MacLain off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Sawyer 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.

Sawyer is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! MacLain is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! MacLain has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sawyer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
MacLain lands a couple of elbows.

Sawyer working for a triangle but MacLain defends it easily.
MacLain lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Thom Sawyer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shane MacLain is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sawyer is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Thom Sawyer.
I think MacLain 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane MacLain!