PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Donelly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benigno Aquino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Donelly comes to the cage accompanied by Jump Around. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Donelly
vs
Aquino

175 cm
26
170 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

180 cm
25
182 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joseph Donelly!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Benigno Aquino!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, John Mangel and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aquino throws a sloppy head kick and Donelly moves out of range easily.
Donelly lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Aquino moves forwards but Donelly connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Aquino shoots in and gets a takedown into Donelly's guard.
Donelly preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Donelly looking for a sweep. Not yet Donelly, not yet.
Aquino working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Donelly preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Donelly wants to sweep but no luck.
Aquino postures up and lands a big shot to Donelly's brow.
Aquino tries to free his leg and advance position but Donelly is retaining full guard.
Aquino in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Donelly preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Donelly avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Aquino tries to free his leg and advance position but Donelly is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donelly working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aquino.
Aquino throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Donelly works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Donelly avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Aquino drops back, looking for a kneebar! Donelly looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Donelly looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Donelly!
Aquino tries to bench press Donelly off him but Donelly keeps the position.
Aquino sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Aquino is trying to get back to full guard.
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.
Donelly is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Aquino tries to get to full guard but Donelly has control of the leg.
Aquino has a hand on Donelly's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Donelly takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Donelly tries to control but Aquino wriggling away.
Aquino has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aquino is trying desperately to improve position.
Aquino trying desperately to get to his feet.
Donelly trying to control but Aquino is having none of it.
Aquino wants to hold on but Donelly pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donelly controlling his opponent.
Aquino is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Aquino is desperately trying to improve his position but Donelly has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Donelly avoids the attempt from Aquino to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benigno Aquino dominated that 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.

A combination from Aquino does no damage.
Aquino takes one to the chin there.
Donelly lands a nice shot that snaps Aquino's head back.
A solid leg kick lands there for Donelly.
Aquino misses with a low kick.
Donelly takes a swing at Aquino's ribcage but misses.
Aquino blocks the body kick.
Benigno Aquino seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Donelly misses with a series of wild punches.
Donelly blocks a leg kick.
Aquino shoots in for a takedown but Donelly shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Donelly tries to land a front kick but Aquino steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Aquino looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Donelly manages to escape and get back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aquino takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Aquino misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donelly throws a hook but Aquino blocks it.
Aquino takes a kick to the side of the head.
That kick from Donelly tenderised Aquino's leg. Aquino is trying to keep his angry face on.
Joseph Donelly is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice jab there from Aquino.

Aquino manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Donelly on his heels. He'll look to pass Donelly's guard now, I'm sure.
Aquino is looking to work some ground and pound but Donelly has wrist control.
Aquino is pushing down on Donelly's leg trying to pass to half guard. Donelly is fighting to maintain full guard but Aquino has managed to sneak the leg through.
Aquino with the ground and pound but Donelly uses the opportunity to regain guard.

Aquino postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Donelly is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Aquino, into his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Donelly trying to control the position from guard on top but Aquino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donelly stays in close to Aquino's body and controls the position.
Aquino wants to stand up but Donelly is controlling him.
Aquino controls Donelly momentarily but Donelly frees himself.
Donelly 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 three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joseph Donelly wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Aquino fails with a takedown attempt.
Aquino takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Donelly looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Donelly scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Donelly lands a two punch combo.
Aquino fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Joseph Donelly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benigno Aquino.
Aquino fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Donelly. No joy for Aquino on that attempt.
Aquino throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Donelly swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donelly misses the jab.
Aquino connects with a jab.
Donelly avoids the body shot from Aquino.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Aquino is defended easily by Donelly.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donelly throws a shot to the body.
Aquino dives in and grabs Donelly's left leg, looking for a takedown. Donelly pushes down on Aquino's head and hops out.
Aquino looks for a takedown but Donelly sprawls well.
Aquino is breathing heavily.
Nice shot by Donelly.
Aquino misses with the combination.
Aquino slips a jab from Donelly.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An inside leg kick lands from Donelly.
A cross from Donelly lands.
Aquino takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Donelly, right into the meat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Donelly dominated that second round.
That's time! Donelly's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Aquino pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Donelly scores with a kick to the midsection.
Jab by Donelly.
A solid leg kick lands there for Donelly.
Aquino takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Donelly misses with a hook. Aquino ducked under it nicely.
Aquino tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Donelly swivels and escapes.
Aquino's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Donelly connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Aquino scrambles back to his feet.
Donelly fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Aquino looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Benigno Aquino is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Donelly fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aquino tries a head kick but it misses.
Aquino will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A head kick misses from Donelly.
Aquino changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Donelly tries to avoid it but Aquino manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Donelly to the ground. Donelly escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Joseph Donelly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benigno Aquino.
Donelly slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Donelly scores with a leg kick.
Donelly lets loose with a powerful body kick. Aquino will feel that in the morning.
Aquino takes a jab right on the kisser.
Aquino takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donelly thows a body shot but no joy.
Donelly scores with a jab.
Good exchange - Donelly coming out on top.
Aquino blocks a jab.
Donelly buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Donelly swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Joseph Donelly is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from Donelly misses.
Aquino shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Donelly but Donelly pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Donelly avoids the head kick by Aquino.
Donelly misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aquino.
Donelly lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aquino at a distance.
Aquino throws a head kick but Donelly moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Donelly.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Donelly.
Aquino's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Donelly lands a nice looking body shot.
Donelly displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Aquino.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aquino stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Donelly.
Donelly lands a nice leg kick that just misses Aquino's sensitive parts.
Donelly changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Aquino takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A cross from Donelly lands.
Donelly uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Donelly throws a lazy right hand but Aquino sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Donelly scores with a jab to the jaw.
Donelly scores with a jab to the head.
Donelly lands a jab to Aquino's midsection.
Aquino misses with a jab, cross combination.
Donelly lands with a thumping leg kick.
Donelly smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Donelly throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aquino.
Aquino fails with a takedown attempt.
Good leg kick by Donelly there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aquino throws a sloppy head kick
and Donelly connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aquino swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aquino throws a sloppy head kick and Donelly moves out of range easily.
Donelly feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Aquino's calf.
Aquino stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Donelly.
Donelly scores with a nice right hand.
Donelly scores with a decent looking hook.
Aquino misses with a jab, cross combination.
Aquino throws a series of punches but Donelly avoids them all with ease.
Donelly fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Donelly ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Donelly misses with the combination.
Donelly fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Aquino.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donelly scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
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!
A combination from Aquino does no damage.
Donelly lands with a hook. Aquino tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Donelly goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A head kick by Aquino misses
and Donelly counters with a nice leg kick.
Donelly feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Aquino's calf.
Donelly scoring well with a low kick there.
Decent striking displayed by Donelly there.
Donelly fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Aquino takes one on the button.
Aquino tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Donelly swivels and escapes.
Aquino misses with a double jab
and Donelly counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Donelly misses with an attempted mid kick.
Donelly connects with a nice looking jab.
Donelly swinging wildly here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joseph Donelly showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Donelly 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joseph Donelly!
In his post fight interview, Joseph Donelly gave a big smile as he said 'I wasn't focused early in my career... I am now. Watch out! And thank you to my fans who have been with me since day 1!!'.