PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ivan ORourke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leopold Scotch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan ORourke could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Leopold Scotch's chin.

ORourke
vs
Scotch

180 cm
33
143 lbs
24 - 11 - 0

175 cm
34
157 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ivan ORourke!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Leopold Scotch!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
ORourke lands a nice leg kick that just misses Scotch's sensitive parts.
Scotch lands a lovely overhand right.
Ivan ORourke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Decent striking displayed by ORourke there.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Scotch.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Scotch postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Scotch working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
You can see the frustration on ORourke's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
ORourke is looking to reverse the position.
ORourke taking a bit of punishment here - Scotch scoring with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Scotch working the body and head with strikes.

Scotch is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but ORourke is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scotch working the strikes but ORourke uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
ORourke has hold of Scotch's hands but Scotch slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
ORourke keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
ORourke keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Scotch scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Scotch sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. ORourke defending well though.
Scotch thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
ORourke is trying to stand up here but Scotch is controlling him well.
ORourke really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
ORourke wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scotch not landing any meaningful shots this time.
ORourke wants to control but Scotch is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Scotch thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed ORourke's head.
Scotch looks to land a strike but ORourke avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Scotch throwing strikes from guard but ORourke blocks nicely.
ORourke is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Scotch is controlling him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Scotch wants to control from the top but ORourke keeps moving.
Scotch tries to free his leg and advance position but ORourke is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ORourke 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.
Scotch working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
ORourke working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Scotch.
Scotch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. ORourke is keeping the position for now.
Scotch postures up in ORourke's guard and throws a big left but ORourke blocks it.
Scotch throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Scotch is looking to work some ground and pound but ORourke has wrist control.
Scotch postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ORourke is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Scotch is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Scotch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
ORourke is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Scotch is controlling him.
Scotch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. ORourke is keeping the position for now.
Scotch postures up in ORourke's guard and throws a big left but ORourke blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Scotch working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Scotch 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.

Leopold Scotch dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

ORourke throws a leg kick but Scotch checks it.
Scotch throws a series of punches but ORourke avoids them all with ease.
ORourke lands a leg kick that knocks Scotch off balance momentarily.
ORourke takes one to the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - ORourke looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Scotch doesn't manage to clinch there - ORourke circles away.
ORourke avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice body punch from ORourke.
ORourke cracks the inside of Scotch's front leg.

ORourke moves into range and clinches up with Scotch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Scotch as ORourke tries to tie him up.
Scotch prevents a body shot from ORourke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ORourke misses with a punch on the inside.
ORourke lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Scotch or not.
ORourke swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice left hand lands by ORourke.
Scotch blocks an uppercut.

Scotch gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Scotch throws an elbow that misses. ORourke uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Scotch's guard. Nice move by ORourke!
Scotch being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Ivan ORourke wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
ORourke throws a nice inside leg kick.
ORourke closes the distance but Scotch moves to the side
and Scotch counters with a lovely shot to the body.
ORourke needs to keep his hands up - Scotch had a free shot at his head there.
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!

ORourke gets in close and instigates a clinch.
ORourke creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from ORourke.
ORourke has a couple of punches blocked by Scotch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ORourke misses with a punch on the inside.
ORourke swings wildly with an uppercut but Scotch uses good head movement to avoid it.
ORourke tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from ORourke fails to land.
Scotch avoids a wild elbow strike from ORourke.
Scotch is trying to work for a single leg takedown but ORourke pulls him back up using the underhooks.
ORourke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Scotch tries for a takedown but ORourke manages to get underhooks.
A hook to the body from ORourke.
ORourke gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Scotch.
Ivan ORourke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leopold Scotch.
ORourke tries a body shot but Scotch blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ORourke tries to throw a body punch but Scotch avoids it by throwing ORourke back against the cage.
A short right from ORourke on the inside.
ORourke is trying to stall.
ORourke swings wildly with an uppercut but Scotch uses good head movement to avoid it.
ORourke misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, ORourke creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
ORourke lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
ORourke misses with a body punch.
ORourke tries a body shot but Scotch blocks it.
ORourke goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan ORourke dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

ORourke wants to clinch.
Scotch has a takedown stuffed.
ORourke connects with a leg kick. Scotch looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Scotch swings and misses with a hook to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from ORourke.

ORourke has managed to clinch.
ORourke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
ORourke misses with a body punch.
Scotch is working for takedown but ORourke is calmly controlling the position for now.
ORourke tries to throw a body punch but Scotch avoids it by throwing ORourke back against the cage.
ORourke can't find room to land a body shot as Scotch controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.

ORourke is fighting off a takedown attempt but Scotch is just too persistent for him and manages to trip ORourke to the mat. ORourke regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Scotch trying to control the position from guard on top but ORourke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

ORourke is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
ORourke lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Scotch backwards.
ORourke misses with a punch to the body.
ORourke throws a head punch that misses.
ORourke has a couple of punches blocked by Scotch.
A right hook to the body lands for ORourke.
ORourke misses with a body punch.
Scotch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scotch blocks a body shot from ORourke.
Scotch has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. ORourke avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ivan ORourke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leopold Scotch.
ORourke lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short right from ORourke.
This has been an exciting period of action!
ORourke misses with some punches.
ORourke throws an elbow that misses.
ORourke misses with a punch on the inside.
ORourke swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Scotch is trying to work for a single leg takedown but ORourke pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Scotch blocks the elbow strike.
ORourke lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Scotch or not.
ORourke tries a body shot but Scotch blocks it.
ORourke lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ORourke wants to stall.
ORourke tries to throw a body punch but Scotch avoids it by throwing ORourke back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Scotch is looking for a takedown.
ORourke goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
ORourke misses with a hook from the clinch.
ORourke misses with a hook from the clinch.
Scotch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
ORourke lands a right hand.
ORourke tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Scotch's elbow.
ORourke digs a right hand into Scotch's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Scotch's gas tank.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from ORourke.
ORourke tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
ORourke misses with a punch to the body.
A right hand to the body from ORourke.
ORourke misses with a body punch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Scotch as ORourke tries to tie him up.
ORourke can't find room to land a body shot as Scotch controls the action.
ORourke scores with an uppercut up the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Scotch is working for takedown but ORourke is calmly controlling the position for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
ORourke working aggressively here.
Scotch has ORourke pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. ORourke manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
ORourke misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan ORourke clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

ORourke lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
ORourke throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Scotch.
ORourke throws a sloppy head kick and Scotch moves out of range easily.
A bone on bone clash there as Scotch blocks the leg kick.
Scotch works the jab nicely.
ORourke misses with a low kick.
Scotch tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. ORourke manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Scotch looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ivan ORourke is winning the standup battle so far.
ORourke tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Scotch manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Scotch bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps ORourke's head backwards.
ORourke turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
ORourke moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Scotch misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

ORourke darts in and clinches Scotch up against the cage.
ORourke struggles to land a body shot inside as Scotch controls his hands.
ORourke tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
ORourke tries to throw a body punch but Scotch avoids it by throwing ORourke back against the cage.
ORourke tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
ORourke throws a head punch that misses.
ORourke misses with a hook to the ribs.
ORourke tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Scotch blocks a body shot from ORourke.
Scotch blocks an uppercut.
ORourke stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
ORourke doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Scotch's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ORourke pushes Scotch back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Scotch blocking some punches.
ORourke misses with a short punch on the inside.
ORourke lands with a light punch inside.
Scotch is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
ORourke misses with a punch to the body.

Scotch gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Scotch trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
ORourke working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Scotch.
Scotch wants to pass the guard but ORourke is keeping the position.
Scotch trying to control but ORourke is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scotch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Scotch with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Scotch throwing strikes but missing.
Scotch postures up in ORourke's guard and throws a big left but ORourke blocks it.
ORourke working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Scotch.
Scotch wants to control from the top but ORourke keeps moving.
Scotch controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scotch stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. ORourke swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Scotch is looking to work some ground and pound but ORourke has wrist control.
Scotch throwing strikes from guard but ORourke blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Scotch throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ivan ORourke will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Scotch throws a body punch but ORourke moves out of range.
Scotch swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - ORourke looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
ORourke tries to close the distance and clinch up but Scotch swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A punch lands to the side of ORourke 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Scotch blocks a leg kick.
ORourke wants to clinch up but Scotch keeps it at a distance.
Scotch looks to score with a jab to the body but ORourke is just out of range.
Ivan ORourke is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
ORourke throws a nice looking combination but Scotch bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
ORourke slips under a jab.
ORourke looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scotch throws a body punch but ORourke moves out of range.
ORourke doesn't manage to clinch there - Scotch circles away.
ORourke scoring well with a low kick there.
Scotch takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Scotch circles away from the clinch attempt.
ORourke misses with a series of wild punches.

Scotch drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
ORourke managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Scotch.
ORourke wants to get back to his feet.
Scotch in side control, throwing shots but ORourke defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scotch throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Scotch tries to score with some ground and pound. ORourke controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
ORourke parries the strikes from Scotch easily there. Scotch is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable ORourke to escape.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sloppy strikes there by Scotch.
The ground and pound from Scotch seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Sloppy strikes there by Scotch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Scotch is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. ORourke knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Scotch creates some space and throws a big elbow, but ORourke sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ORourke prevents Scotch from improving position.
Scotch working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Leopold Scotch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Scotch throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ivan ORourke is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Scotch is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, ORourke has escaped the position, nice work there.
Scotch cracks ORourke with a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scotch with the ground and pound but ORourke regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Scotch winds up and cracks ORourke with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Scotch throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Scotch missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ground and pound from Scotch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Scotch missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leopold Scotch comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think ORourke 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ivan ORourke!
Ivan ORourke is the new featherweight champion!
After winning the bout, Ivan ORourke thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.