PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Henry McCahon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joao Henrique Acosta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Joao Henrique Acosta was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

McCahon
vs
Henrique Acosta

190 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Henry McCahon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joao Henrique Acosta!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Steve Erwin and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCahon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McCahon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McCahon shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Acosta sprawls well. Acosta wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McCahon gets slowly back to his feet.

McCahon closes the distance and clinches.
Acosta is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McCahon is defending well.
Acosta trying to control the position but instead, McCahon has worked for underhooks and has pushed Acosta into the cage.
McCahon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on McCahon's face as he tries to break the clinch.
McCahon tries to land knees in the clinch but Acosta avoids the damage to the body.
Acosta looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCahon has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Acosta drops down looking for an ankle pick but McCahon pulls his leg out and moves away.
Acosta displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McCahon.
McCahon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henry McCahon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Acosta tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCahon swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McCahon swats away the attempt to clinch by Acosta.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McCahon.
McCahon shoots in looking for a takedown. Acosta tries to sprawl out of it but McCahon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Acosta manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Acosta gets a double leg takedown into McCahon's guard.
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.
McCahon is breathing heavily.
Acosta pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCahon is keeping the position for now.
Acosta trying to control but McCahon is working from the bottom.
Acosta looking to pass the guard.
McCahon looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Acosta tries to stand but McCahon is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCahon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Acosta.
Acosta throws a big elbow that misses.
Acosta really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McCahon. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Acosta sitting in guard here, content to control.
Acosta looking to pass the guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Joao Henrique Acosta wasn't active enough on the ground.
Acosta fails with a takedown attempt.

Acosta decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCahon is refusing to be controlled, as Acosta sits in half guard.
McCahon moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
McCahon looking to control.
Acosta trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Acosta trying to control but McCahon is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Joao Henrique Acosta.
Acosta shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McCahon as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Henrique Acosta 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.

McCahon shoots in looking for a takedown. Acosta tries to sprawl out of it but McCahon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Acosta manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Henry McCahon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Acosta looks to score with a jab to the body but McCahon is just out of range.

McCahon gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
McCahon is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
McCahon looking to control.

McCahon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Acosta doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Acosta manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Acosta keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McCahon's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Acosta stands up from McCahon's guard - Acosta perhaps looking for a knockout.
Good leg kick by Acosta there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Acosta is looking to clinch but McCahon is avoiding it.
Acosta shoots in looking for a takedown. McCahon tries to sprawl out of it but Acosta keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McCahon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McCahon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Acosta tries to avoid it but McCahon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Acosta to the ground. Acosta escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCahon tries to clinch up.

Acosta shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Acosta was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Acosta prevents McCahon from escaping the position.
Acosta landing a few strikes.
Acosta tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Acosta has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
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!
Acosta shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Acosta tries to clinch but McCahon moves out of range.
McCahon shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Acosta as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henry McCahon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Acosta looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for McCahon!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Acosta wants to stand but McCahon has his arm trapped.

Acosta tries for a kimura but McCahon is defending well.
McCahon is trying to control Acosta's posture but Acosta avoids it.

Acosta swings around for an armbar but McCahon sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Acosta's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCahon 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.

McCahon stands up from guard. Let's bang!
McCahon looks for a takedown but Acosta sprawls well.

Acosta bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Acosta trying to control the action but McCahon is working from the bottom.
Acosta creates some space and throws a big elbow, but McCahon sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Henrique Acosta showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Acosta looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McCahon is fending him off so far but Acosta persists. Nope, McCahon circles away and we're back to standing.
Acosta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Acosta fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Acosta misses with a double jab

and McCahon counters by clinching up.
McCahon prevents Acosta from breaking the clinch.

Acosta manages to break the clinch.
Acosta shoots in looking for a takedown but McCahon manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Acosta's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Henry McCahon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joao Henrique Acosta.

McCahon gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Acosta takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Acosta is pressed up against the cage. McCahon has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Acosta down to the mat. Acosta avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

McCahon clinches with his opponent.
Acosta keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCahon's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCahon takes a knee to the side of the body.
McCahon is trying to break the clinch but Acosta is controlling him.

Acosta breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McCahon fails with the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Acosta is defended easily by McCahon.
Acosta shoots in looking for a takedown. McCahon tries to sprawl out of it but Acosta keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McCahon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McCahon tries for a takedown but Acosta sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Acosta cracks McCahon with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
McCahon tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Acosta darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Acosta is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Acosta is stalling here but it's allowed McCahon to get half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCahon flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
McCahon is trying to control but can't.

McCahon kicks off Acosta and gets to his feet.
Acosta shoots in looking for a takedown but McCahon manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Acosta's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McCahon fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A cross from McCahon lands.
Acosta leaves McCahon with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Acosta tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Acosta has taken the fight to the clinch.
Acosta is trying to pull guard but McCahon has him pressed against the cage.
McCahon scores with a hook to the body.
McCahon is trying to break the clinch but Acosta is controlling him.

McCahon pulls guard effortlessly.
Acosta wants to control from the top but McCahon keeps moving.
Acosta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McCahon swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCahon manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Henry McCahon.
I think Acosta has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joao Henrique Acosta!
Joao Henrique Acosta thanked the fans post fight for their support.