PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Michael Carter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ian Macdonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Carter
vs
Macdonald

162 cm
25
135 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

171 cm
25
136 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Carter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ian Macdonald!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Lou da Vinci and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carter cracks Macdonald with a right hand to the side of the head.
Macdonald throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Carter's waist but Carter gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Macdonald off to one side.
Macdonald moves out of range as Carter throws a body kick.
Carter dives in and grabs Macdonald's left leg, looking for a takedown. Macdonald pushes down on Carter's head and hops out.
Carter throws a head kick but Macdonald moves out of range.

Carter gets a takedown into half guard.
Macdonald is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Carter's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Carter's back!
Carter trying to control the position but Macdonald manages to sink in the hooks.
Macdonald tries to get the hooks in deep but Carter pushed the leg off.
Carter tries to roll but Macdonald sticks to his back.
Macdonald tries to get the hooks in deep but Carter pushed the leg off.
What can Carter do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carter is really stuck here.
Carter turns into Macdonald and is now in his guard.
Macdonald trying to control the position.

Macdonald is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Carter is looking to work some ground and pound but Macdonald has wrist control.
Macdonald wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Macdonald lands a decent punch to the body there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carter has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Macdonald is proving hard to escape from.
Macdonald avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Carter preventing the sweep.
Carter trying to control the position from guard on top but Macdonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carter works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Carter seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Macdonald does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Carter moves into full mount! Macdonald won't be happy about that!
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!
Carter avoids the attempt from Macdonald to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald is working to get back to half guard.
Macdonald is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Macdonald manages to control the position for a moment.
Macdonald really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Carter stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Macdonald clinches up against the cage.
Carter is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Carter drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Macdonald gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Macdonald lands a knee to the head.
Macdonald displaying some good clinch control by pressing Carter up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Macdonald wants the takedown. Carter is fighting it off but Macdonald persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Carter's guard against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Michael Carter will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Carter tries for a takedown but Macdonald sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Carter moves to clinch but Macdonald breaks away
and Macdonald counters with a head kick.

Macdonald scores with a takedown into Carter's guard.
Macdonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Carter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Carter throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Carter pulls Macdonald in close to prevent any damage.
Carter working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Macdonald stands and steps away. Carter gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Carter darts in trying to clinch
and Macdonald counters with a one-two to the body.
Macdonald displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Carter.
Carter lands with a right hand.
Macdonald leaves Carter with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Carter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Carter is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Macdonald.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Carter gets tackled into the cage by Macdonald. Macdonald maintains the clinch.
Macdonald prevents Carter from breaking the clinch.
Carter tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Macdonald has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Carter regains guard immediately.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Carter seems keen to control Macdonald's posture.
Carter looking for a sweep. Not yet Carter, not yet.
Ian Macdonald has got the better of the ground game so far.
Macdonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Carter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Macdonald looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Macdonald stands up over Carter, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Carter managing to control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Carter stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Macdonald.
Macdonald defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Carter.
Macdonald shoots for a takedown but Carter saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Carter wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald avoids the head kick by Carter.
Carter moves in looking to clinch but Macdonald pushes him off.
Macdonald looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Macdonald fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Macdonald is breathing heavily.
A low kick from Carter is predictable there
and Macdonald counters with a nice uppercut.

Macdonald shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carter manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Macdonald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Carter throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Macdonald's waist but Macdonald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Carter off to one side.
Macdonald fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Macdonald closes the distance and clinches.

Macdonald jumps guard.
Macdonald looking for a sweep. Not yet Macdonald, not yet.
Macdonald working a defensive guard here.
Macdonald wants to stand up but Carter is controlling him.
Macdonald trying to control the position.
Macdonald takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ian Macdonald has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Macdonald will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Carter cracks Macdonald with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Carter shoots in but Macdonald avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Macdonald throws a head kick that misses.
Carter stalks Macdonald and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Macdonald's face. Macdonald staggers backwards, shaken.
Carter tries to close the distance and clinch up but Macdonald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Carter is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Michael Carter is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Carter fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Macdonald sprawls well initially but Carter persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Carter decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Carter tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Carter drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Carter is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Macdonald's shoulder. That is not cool.

Carter tries for a kimura but Macdonald is defending well.
Macdonald tries to buck Carter off but Carter is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Macdonald's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald is looking for a sweep.
Carter moves into full mount!

Carter looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Macdonald tries to reverse the position but Carter maintains control.
Carter lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carter controlling his opponent.
Carter wants to control the pace but Macdonald is squirming around nicely.
Macdonald is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Macdonald is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Macdonald really wants to buck Carter off and get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Carter showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Carter 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 John Roberts scores the fight 29:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ian Macdonald!