PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tebato Nakara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morris McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Morris McDonald acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Nakara
vs
McDonald

177 cm
27
169 lbs
7 - 8 - 1

173 cm
34
169 lbs
23 - 15 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

TWGC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Tokyo United Fightwear

CEC Nutrition Q160

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 7 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Tebato Nakara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Morris McDonald!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McDonald shoots in and bounces Nakara off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McDonald accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McDonald has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at ACME! Thai Boxing Academy 13 ELITE COACHES!. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
McDonald is working Nakara over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nakara controls McDonald momentarily but McDonald frees himself.
McDonald throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonald throwing strikes from guard but Nakara blocks nicely.
McDonald throws a big elbow that misses.
McDonald has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McDonald tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakara is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakara has McDonald pulled in close to control his posture.
McDonald throwing strikes from guard but Nakara blocks nicely.
McDonald working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nakara tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakara trying to keep a closed guard but McDonald is proving a slippery customer.
McDonald throws an elbow that misses. Nakara uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McDonald's guard. Nice move by Nakara!
McDonald looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nakara is one step ahead there.
McDonald lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Nakara!
McDonald with shots to the head and body - Nakara looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands a big shot there that rocks Nakara but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonald pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Nakara regains half guard.
McDonald not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McDonald throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
McDonald missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McDonald not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McDonald throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nakara is looking to control McDonald's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nakara avoid being mounted?
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McDonald connects with a nice short shot to Nakara's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McDonald moves into full mount! Nakara won't be happy about that!
Nakara really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Nakara taking shots to the head.
Nakara tries to hold on but McDonald postures up.
McDonald can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nakara is looking to escape.
McDonald looking to finish Nakara with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nakara!
Nakara is in a horrible position here. McDonald smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonald landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald with the ground and pound from mount.
Nakara is wriggling around trying to escape.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, McDonald cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
McDonald wants to control the pace but Nakara is squirming around nicely.
Nakara bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Nakara lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McDonald is trying to control the position but Nakara postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nakara preventing the sweep.
McDonald is trying to keep Nakara in close.
McDonald wants to sweep here but Nakara controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris McDonald dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nakara takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nakara fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McDonald on the side of the head.
McDonald misses with an uppercut
and Nakara counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nakara throws an off balance right hand

and McDonald counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
McDonald postures up in Nakara's guard and throws a big left but Nakara blocks it.
Nakara working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McDonald.
McDonald is in close to Nakara's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonald working some strikes from top position.
McDonald looking to sit in guard and control but Nakara gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Nakara is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
McDonald looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakara throwing strikes from guard but McDonald blocks nicely.
Nakara trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

McDonald is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nakara 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.
McDonald looking to control.
Nakara preventing the sweep.

McDonald throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nakara throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakara wants to control from the top but McDonald keeps moving.
McDonald throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Nakara wants to pass the guard but McDonald is keeping the position.
McDonald will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Nakara stopping the sweep attempt from McDonald.
Nakara wants to control from the top but McDonald keeps moving.
Nakara stopping the sweep attempt from McDonald.
Nakara trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

We're going to have a standup here because Tebato Nakara wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Nakara lands a lovely overhand right.
Nakara connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
McDonald shoots in for a double leg but Nakara sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
McDonald darts in looking for a takedown but Nakara gets double underhooks and turns McDonald into the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Nakara.

Nakara has McDonald pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Nakara pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending McDonald tumbling to the mat - Nakara dives into McDonald's guard.
McDonald looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
McDonald thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Nakara working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McDonald trying to control the position.
McDonald tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakara working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McDonald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Morris McDonald has got the better of the ground game so far.
McDonald looking for a sweep. Not yet McDonald, not yet.
Nakara postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
McDonald keeping moving, preventing Nakara from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonald thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
McDonald striking off his back but it's not causing Nakara any problems.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Morris McDonald will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nakara throws a hook to the side of McDonald's head but McDonald sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McDonald ducks under a wild hook from Nakara.
Nakara swinging wildly here.

Nakara drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
McDonald looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nakara is one step ahead there.
McDonald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nakara throws a big right hand that misses.
McDonald keeping moving, preventing Nakara from controlling successfully.
Nakara stands up out of McDonald's guard for a moment - McDonald manages to land a nice upkick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

McDonald is looking for a triangle but Nakara pushes his legs off easily.
Nakara stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McDonald swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McDonald 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.
Nakara passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
McDonald makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McDonald.
Nakara trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakara trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

McDonald is looking for a triangle but Nakara pushes his legs off easily.
Tebato Nakara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Morris McDonald is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nakara throwing strikes from guard but McDonald blocks nicely.
Nakara postures up in McDonald's guard and throws a big left but McDonald blocks it.
Nakara wants to control from the top but McDonald keeps moving.
McDonald is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
McDonald trying to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nakara waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McDonald.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McDonald.
McDonald scores with a nice strike.
McDonald slips a jab from Nakara.
Nakara connects with a good right hand that stumbles McDonald. McDonald circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McDonald misses with a series of wild punches.
Nakara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McDonald moves away.
Nakara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McDonald scores with a hook to the body. Nakara takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nice defenses there by McDonald.
McDonald is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
McDonald misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakara throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McDonald blocks a jab.
A shot to the body from Nakara misses

and McDonald counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McDonald.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McDonald sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nakara keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonald is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Morris McDonald.
I've got McDonald 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Morris McDonald!