PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Colt McLaren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dusan Kikovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

McLaren
vs
Kikovic

170 cm
21
147 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

168 cm
20
143 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Colt McLaren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Dusan Kikovic!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Dean Styles and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kikovic connects with a body shot that sends McLaren's belly button to the back.

McLaren rushes Kikovic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McLaren lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kikovic.
Kikovic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

McLaren escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dusan Kikovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McLaren dodges the punch combination from Kikovic.
Kikovic tries to land a front kick but McLaren steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kikovic moves away from the strike by McLaren.
Kikovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kikovic chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kikovic loads up on a big right hand but McLaren slips the punch.
A head kick misses from Kikovic.
Kikovic with a body punch. A glancing blow.
McLaren fails with a takedown attempt.
Kikovic tries to score with a low kick but McLaren moves his leg out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kikovic. McLaren does a little dance to reset his feet.

Kikovic gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
McLaren looking to pass the guard.
McLaren postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kikovic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kikovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McLaren throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McLaren postures up and lands a big shot to Kikovic's brow.
McLaren works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kikovic tries to roll over but McLaren keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaren looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McLaren not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McLaren has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
McLaren throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kikovic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McLaren.
Kikovic is looking to control McLaren's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kikovic avoid being mounted?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McLaren throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kikovic to regain full guard.
Kikovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McLaren trying to control but Kikovic is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaren working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McLaren lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kikovic is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
McLaren is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kikovic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McLaren throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kikovic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kikovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McLaren is looking to work some ground and pound but Kikovic has wrist control.
McLaren loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McLaren accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kikovic keeping moving, preventing McLaren from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kikovic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McLaren.
McLaren wants to pass the guard but Kikovic is keeping the position.
McLaren loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kikovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McLaren postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
McLaren postures up in Kikovic's guard and throws a big left but Kikovic blocks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McLaren is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McLaren with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kikovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kikovic has momentary wrist control but McLaren slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Colt McLaren dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kikovic lands a slapping body shot.
A low kick from Kikovic misses

and McLaren counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kikovic's guard now.
McLaren throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McLaren missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McLaren lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McLaren scoring with some ground and pound.
McLaren throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kikovic is trying to control the position but McLaren postures up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McLaren working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McLaren is looking to work some ground and pound but Kikovic has wrist control.
Kikovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McLaren loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kikovic keeping moving, preventing McLaren from controlling successfully.
McLaren looking to pass the guard.
Kikovic trying to control the position.
McLaren throwing strikes from guard but Kikovic blocks nicely.
Kikovic is trying to control the position but McLaren postures up.
McLaren wants to control from the top but Kikovic keeps moving.
McLaren loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kikovic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McLaren lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kikovic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McLaren is controlling him.
McLaren pushing down on Kikovic's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
McLaren wants to take a breather but Kikovic is having none of it.
Kikovic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McLaren.
McLaren is looking to stall here but Kikovic recovers full guard.
McLaren wants to control from the top but Kikovic keeps moving.
McLaren missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McLaren sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kikovic's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McLaren wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kikovic keeps working.
Colt McLaren overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaren missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McLaren tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kikovic knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kikovic is trying to control but can't.
McLaren throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

McLaren is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McLaren thows a huge punch but Kikovic dodges it nicely.
McLaren slows the pace down in half guard.
McLaren working over Kikovic with some ground and pound. Kikovic looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaren is controlling the pace.
McLaren has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
McLaren not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McLaren throwing shots but Kikovic is blocking nicely.

McLaren is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
McLaren not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Colt McLaren dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

McLaren avoids a punch combination nicely.
McLaren fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
McLaren staying out of range there.
Kikovic avoids the body shot from McLaren.
McLaren blocks a jab.
Kikovic lands with a thumping leg kick.

McLaren fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kikovic sprawls well initially but McLaren persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
McLaren passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kikovic!
McLaren thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
McLaren looking to ground and pound but Kikovic is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kikovic tries to lock up and control but McLaren gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kikovic is trying to escape the mount.
McLaren is in the full mount, landing strikes.
McLaren is landing with some decent strikes but Kikovic is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kikovic is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
McLaren is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kikovic can do to turn this around?
McLaren lands a big shot there that rocks Kikovic but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
McLaren lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
McLaren lands a big elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McLaren lands a nice shot to the head.
McLaren is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaren cracks Kikovic with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
McLaren looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Kikovic is squirming around, avoiding McLaren's attempts to control the action.
McLaren landing strikes, looking to finish!
Kikovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McLaren working Kikovic over with strikes here.
McLaren looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Kikovic is rocked!
McLaren lands with some strikes.
Colt McLaren is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kikovic is still in real trouble! Can McLaren finish him?
McLaren is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kikovic can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
McLaren lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kikovic hang on?
McLaren pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikovic wants to control but McLaren is having none of it.
Kikovic is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
McLaren wants to control but Kikovic has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Kikovic seems to have recovered his senses.
McLaren sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kikovic defending well though.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with McLaren in particular looking to stall.
Kikovic tries to roll over but McLaren keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaren wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kikovic keeps working.
McLaren looks to land a strike but Kikovic avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
McLaren is stalling in the full guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Colt McLaren wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
McLaren doesn't manage to clinch there - Kikovic circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McLaren shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kikovic pinned against the cage. Kikovic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kikovic lands a nice shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Colt McLaren showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McLaren, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Colt McLaren!
Colt McLaren decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.