PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Konrad Kristofferson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phil McCarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCarthy is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: little boxes. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kristofferson
vs
McCarthy

166 cm
19
163 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

181 cm
26
164 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 Amsterdam, Konrad Kristofferson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Phil McCarthy!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McCarthy gets a takedown into half guard.
Kristofferson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kristofferson wants to get back to full guard.

McCarthy is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kristofferson is looking to improve his position.
McCarthy tries to pass to full mount but Kristofferson defends it.
McCarthy is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McCarthy is just content to waste time from the top position. Kristofferson takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kristofferson wants to hit a switch here but McCarthy passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kristofferson there!
Kristofferson wants to control but McCarthy is having none of it.
Kristofferson is trying to escape the mount.
McCarthy wants to control but instead Kristofferson manages to regain half guard.
Kristofferson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McCarthy is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McCarthy is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kristofferson is just riding it out for now. McCarthy eventually gives up the hold.
McCarthy working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Kristofferson's thigh. Kristofferson counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Kristofferson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McCarthy manages to get himself to full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kristofferson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed McCarthy's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
McCarthy regains full guard. Nicely done.
McCarthy wants to get back to his feet but Kristofferson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kristofferson trying to control the position from guard on top but McCarthy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kristofferson postures up in McCarthy's guard and throws a big left but McCarthy blocks it.

Kristofferson has gone for a leg lock! McCarthy slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kristofferson's guard.
Kristofferson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCarthy looking to pass the guard.
Kristofferson trying to keep a closed guard but McCarthy is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy is looking to work some ground and pound but Kristofferson has wrist control.
McCarthy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kristofferson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCarthy working some strikes from top position.
McCarthy trying to control but Kristofferson is working from the bottom.
McCarthy throwing strikes from guard but Kristofferson blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kristofferson is trying to control the position but McCarthy postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil McCarthy dominated that round.
That's time! Kristofferson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McCarthy avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kristofferson tries to move into range but McCarthy moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kristofferson tries to move into range but McCarthy moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kristofferson shoots in for a takedown but McCarthy shows good takedown defense.
Some wild striking there from McCarthy.
Kristofferson tries for a takedown but McCarthy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy misses with a looping right.
Kristofferson tries to score a power double leg takedown but McCarthy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kristofferson somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Konrad Kristofferson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kristofferson fails with the takedown.
McCarthy bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
McCarthy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kristofferson swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy fails with a takedown attempt.
McCarthy is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Danga de danga de dang - McCarthy scores with a four punch combination!
McCarthy wants to clinch up but Kristofferson keeps it at a distance.
McCarthy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kristofferson.
Kristofferson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kristofferson with a poor takedown

and McCarthy counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McCarthy.
Kristofferson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kristofferson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McCarthy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McCarthy trying to control the position from guard on top but Kristofferson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCarthy looking to pass the guard.
McCarthy must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

McCarthy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCarthy postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kristofferson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of McCarthy, into his guard.
Kristofferson trying to control but McCarthy is working from the bottom.
Phil McCarthy has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCarthy managing to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kristofferson advances position into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil McCarthy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kristofferson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kristofferson shoots in for a takedown but McCarthy shows good takedown defense.
Kristofferson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McCarthy counters with a left and a right that stings Kristofferson.
McCarthy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kristofferson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Phil McCarthy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McCarthy wants to clinch but Kristofferson slips to the side

and Kristofferson counters by clinching up.
Kristofferson misses with a punch on the inside.
McCarthy has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kristofferson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

McCarthy wants the takedown. Kristofferson is fighting it off but McCarthy persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kristofferson's guard against the cage.
Kristofferson keeping full guard, as McCarthy tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy connects with a couple of short punches.
McCarthy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kristofferson looking for a sweep. Not yet Kristofferson, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kristofferson is on top in guard.
McCarthy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kristofferson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kristofferson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
McCarthy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kristofferson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McCarthy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kristofferson controlling from the top position.
McCarthy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kristofferson is controlling him.
McCarthy wants to sweep but no luck.
McCarthy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kristofferson looking to pass the guard.
McCarthy wants to sweep but no luck.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCarthy trying to keep a closed guard but Kristofferson is proving a slippery customer.
Kristofferson trying to control but McCarthy is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Phil McCarthy has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
McCarthy looks to score with a jab to the body but Kristofferson is just out of range.
Kristofferson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McCarthy counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Konrad Kristofferson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kristofferson tries to score a power double leg takedown but McCarthy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kristofferson somewhat.
McCarthy pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McCarthy stuffs the takedown.
McCarthy scores with a punch to the head.
McCarthy throws a right and a left that Kristofferson avoids nicely.

Kristofferson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Konrad Kristofferson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McCarthy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kristofferson is nestled in close to McCarthy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Phil McCarthy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Kristofferson is looking for a kimura here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Phil McCarthy.
I've got McCarthy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil McCarthy!
An out of breath Phil McCarthy thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.