PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Frank Reynolds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morris McDonald (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.

Reynolds
vs
McDonald

178 cm
25
165 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

173 cm
28
169 lbs
18 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Perkele!

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frank Reynolds!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Morris McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reynolds jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Reynolds tries a low kick but McDonald avoids it.
Reynolds throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McDonald changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Reynolds is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A clash of legs there as McDonald blocks the low kick.
McDonald loads up on a big right hand but Reynolds slips the punch.
Reynolds cracks McDonald with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
McDonald throws a body punch but Reynolds moves out of range.
McDonald uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Reynolds.
McDonald rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Reynolds counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
McDonald lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
McDonald keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McDonald looks to score with a jab to the body but Reynolds is just out of range.
McDonald checks a low kick from Reynolds.
Reynolds swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. McDonald darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald missing with a left hand there. Reynolds was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McDonald closes the distance and clinches up with Reynolds, looking for a takedown. McDonald pushes Reynolds against the cage but Reynolds circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Reynolds tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McDonald paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Reynolds misses with a body kick.
Reynolds slips under a jab from McDonald.
Reynolds thows a body shot but no joy.
Frank Reynolds seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reynolds looks to land a left hand but McDonald moved out of range nicely.
McDonald uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Reynolds.
McDonald throws a low kick but Reynolds moves out of range easily.
McDonald throws a low kick, looking for Reynolds's leg but Reynolds calmly moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Reynolds throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Reynolds scores with a nice strike.
Reynolds cracks McDonald with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice cross by Reynolds.
That kick from Reynolds tenderised McDonald's leg. McDonald is trying to keep his angry face on.
Reynolds lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McDonald circles away quickly and effectively.
Reynolds with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Reynolds moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

McDonald is rocked!
McDonald looks to score with a jab to the body but Reynolds is just out of range.
McDonald is still on wobbly legs! Can Reynolds finish him?
A looping hook to the body misses from McDonald. Reynolds does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reynolds lands a right hook to the body.
McDonald seems to have recovered his senses.
McDonald closes this distance looking for a takedown but Reynolds circles away.
Reynolds tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McDonald scores with a sloppy right hand. Reynolds should have avoided that one.
Reynolds tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McDonald paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McDonald steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reynolds.
Reynolds tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McDonald paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Reynolds moves out of range as McDonald strikes.
Nice shot lands for Reynolds.
Nice cross by Reynolds.
Reynolds defending well as McDonald loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters circling - McDonald throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice body punch from Reynolds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald drives through with a takedown into guard.
McDonald content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Reynolds has wrist control.
McDonald with a flurry of punches that miss.
McDonald postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

McDonald thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McDonald accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
McDonald working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Reynolds working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McDonald.
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonald throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reynolds works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McDonald lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
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 Frank Reynolds will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McDonald connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
McDonald shoots in looking for a takedown. Reynolds tries to sprawl out of it but McDonald keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Reynolds manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Reynolds scores with a leg kick.
Jab from Reynolds.
McDonald walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
McDonald swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McDonald lands a slapping body shot.
Reynolds bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps McDonald's head backwards.
McDonald tests Reynolds's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Reynolds darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
McDonald misses with a body shot.
Reynolds's corner calls for a 1-2. Reynolds obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big left from Reynolds misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reynolds checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
McDonald keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Reynolds.
McDonald misses with an uppercut. Reynolds saw that one coming.
McDonald fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Reynolds misses with an uppercut.

Reynolds drops McDonald with a beautiful combination! McDonald stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Reynolds is looking for the KO!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reynolds dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McDonald swats away the attempt to clinch by Reynolds.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Reynolds tests McDonald's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Reynolds gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McDonald is looking to control Reynolds's arms but Reynolds gets an underhook and turns him. Now McDonald has his back to the cage.
McDonald is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Frank Reynolds has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morris McDonald.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Reynolds.
McDonald blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Reynolds tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McDonald misses with a hook to the ribs.
Reynolds wants to stall.

McDonald wants the takedown. Reynolds is fighting it off but McDonald persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Reynolds's guard against the cage.
McDonald loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Reynolds utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McDonald stands up over Reynolds, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

McDonald postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Reynolds is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of McDonald, into his guard.
McDonald 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 three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
McDonald managing to control the position.
McDonald has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

McDonald looking for a guillotine here but Reynolds defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald controls Reynolds momentarily but Reynolds frees himself.
Reynolds tries to free his leg and advance position but McDonald is retaining full guard.
Reynolds is working hard here to advance position.
McDonald keeping moving, preventing Reynolds from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McDonald wants to sweep here but Reynolds controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Reynolds dominated that second 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Reynolds tries to clinch up but McDonald circles away and keeps his distance.

McDonald scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Morris McDonald has got the better of the ground game so far.
McDonald throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McDonald sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Reynolds defending well though.
Reynolds blocking the ground and pound attempt from McDonald.
McDonald slips a nice elbow through Reynolds's hands, connecting with Reynolds's forehead.
McDonald not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McDonald misses with a head shot. Reynolds uses the momentum to regain guard.
McDonald stands up over Reynolds, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McDonald working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Reynolds utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McDonald throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reynolds works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McDonald loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McDonald scoring with punches to the head and body.
McDonald postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McDonald throws a big right hand that misses.
McDonald throwing strikes from guard but Reynolds blocks nicely.
McDonald throwing strikes but missing.
Morris McDonald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Reynolds working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McDonald.
Reynolds working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McDonald.
McDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Reynolds has wrist control.
McDonald with a nice head shot there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reynolds working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McDonald.
McDonald throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reynolds works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Frank Reynolds is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McDonald throwing strikes but missing.
McDonald working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throws a big elbow that misses.
McDonald throws a big elbow that misses.
Reynolds wants to sweep but no luck.
McDonald advances position into side control!
Reynolds defending against the ground and pound.
McDonald working the head with strikes.
Reynolds defending against the ground and pound.
McDonald postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald landing a few strikes.
McDonald throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
McDonald throws an elbow but Reynolds slips to the side and avoids it well.
McDonald throws an elbow but Reynolds slips to the side and avoids it well.

McDonald working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McDonald landing strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Reynolds gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

And that's the end of the fight!
Morris McDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Reynolds 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!