PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Peppu Reiska MacDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jones Zica (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). MacDonald comes into the arena with Placebo - Pure Morning blaring out of the sound system. Zica has chosen Master of Puppets by Metallica as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Reiska MacDonald
vs
Zica

179 cm
30
168 lbs
24 - 11 - 0

180 cm
36
162 lbs
21 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 24 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Peppu Reiska MacDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jones Zica!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacDonald is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zica sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
MacDonald misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zica tries to close the distance and clinch up but MacDonald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zica thuds his right hand into MacDonald's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
MacDonald throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zica stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
MacDonald fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zica buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
MacDonald tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
MacDonald misses the jab.
Zica avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
MacDonald uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zica.
MacDonald moves out of range of the leg kick from Zica.
Zica takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Some wild striking there from Zica.
Zica keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zica digs a good hook to MacDonald's body.
Zica is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by MacDonald.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zica blocks a jab.
Jones Zica is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zica tries to clinch there but MacDonald circles away.
MacDonald misses with a shot to the body
and Zica connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
MacDonald uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zica.
Zica throws a predictable looking body shot

and MacDonald counters with a nice double leg into guard.
MacDonald trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
MacDonald loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

MacDonald drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Zica dives on top into guard.

MacDonald has an active guard here but Zica has managed to pass into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zica not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Zica controls from within his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald wants to sweep but no luck.
Zica content to stall in guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jones Zica was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Zica throws a leg kick that misses.
The fighters circling - Zica throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zica misses with a jab to the body

and MacDonald counters with a takedown into side control.

MacDonald is trying to get an arm triangle but Zica is defending well.
MacDonald laying and praying for a moment but Zica takes advantage and regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zica blocking the ground and pound attempt from MacDonald.

Zica kicks off MacDonald and gets to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

MacDonald fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zica, pushing him back against the cage.
MacDonald has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zica after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peppu Reiska MacDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zica lands with a short head shot on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
MacDonald lands a shot to the body.
Zica wants to break free but MacDonald has control.
MacDonald tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zica avoids it.
Zica misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peppu Reiska MacDonald dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

MacDonald looks to throw the jab but Zica is out of range.
An inside leg kick from MacDonald misses.
MacDonald scores with a nice head shot.
MacDonald dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Some wild striking there from Zica.
MacDonald throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
MacDonald misses with a wild body shot.
Zica thows a body shot but no joy.
MacDonald closes the distance but Zica moves to the side
and Zica counters with a left and a right that stings MacDonald.
Zica swings for the body but MacDonald moves out of range.
Zica misses with a hook. MacDonald ducked under it nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Zica.
Zica is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zica misses with a lunging right hand
and MacDonald counters with a slapping leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
MacDonald avoids the body shot from Zica.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zica looks to throw the jab but MacDonald is out of range.
MacDonald fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Zica closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Zica misses with a shot to the kidneys.
MacDonald lands a right hand.
MacDonald scores with a nice hook to the head.
Zica misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zica misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zica misses with some punches.
Zica misses with a punch to the body.
MacDonald blocks a punch to the side of the head.
MacDonald lands a shot to the body.
Zica tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
MacDonald tries to work over Zica's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
MacDonald throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
MacDonald goes for a takedown attempt but Zica pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
MacDonald bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zica paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jab from Zica.
Zica connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
MacDonald cracks the inside of Zica's front leg.
Zica throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zica throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from MacDonald.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peppu Reiska MacDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zica wants to clinch up but MacDonald keeps it at a distance.
MacDonald looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zica wants to clinch up but MacDonald keeps it at a distance.
Jones Zica seems to be getting the better of the standup.
MacDonald fails in his attempt to clinch.
A slow jab from Zica misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zica takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
MacDonald defending well as Zica loads up on a big left hand.
Zica staying out of range there.
A chopping leg kick lands by MacDonald.
MacDonald connects with a right hand. Zica shakes it off.
Zica gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
MacDonald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zica was well out of range. Poor timing from MacDonald.
MacDonald's corner calls for a 1-2. MacDonald obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zica checks the leg kick.
MacDonald cracks Zica with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Zica throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zica looks to score with a jab to the body but MacDonald is just out of range.
Zica scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. MacDonald doesn't seem bothered though.
Zica looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zica swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zica attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zica connects with a nice looking jab.
MacDonald scores with a jab. Zica acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
MacDonald fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zica punishes MacDonald's body with a nice straight punch.
MacDonald with a body punch. A glancing blow.
MacDonald throws the kick towards the body but Zica avoids it.
MacDonald uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zica.
Zica misses with a looping right.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The crowd cheers as Zica lands an impressive looking overhand right. MacDonald doesn't seem phased though.
MacDonald moves away from the strike by Zica.
Zica throws a series of punches but MacDonald moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Peppu Reiska MacDonald will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Good shot there by Zica.
MacDonald lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zica circles away quickly and effectively.
Zica checks the leg kick.
Zica slips a jab from MacDonald.
Zica throws a looping overhand right but MacDonald ducks down to avoid it.
MacDonald connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Zica momentarily.
MacDonald's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and MacDonald duly obliges.
Zica loads up on a big right hand but MacDonald slips the punch.
Zica misses with a hook to the body

and MacDonald counters with a single leg into guard. Zica didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MacDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Zica has wrist control.
Zica is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
MacDonald looking to pass the guard.
Zica utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald wants to control from the top but Zica keeps moving.
MacDonald lands a couple of elbows.
Zica is looking to stand up but MacDonald isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zica keeping moving, preventing MacDonald from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

MacDonald postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Zica is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of MacDonald, into his guard.
Zica wants to control from the top but MacDonald keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Peppu Reiska MacDonald.
MacDonald misses with a leg kick.

Zica fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with MacDonald, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
MacDonald is working Zica over against the cage.
Zica swings wildly with an uppercut but MacDonald uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. MacDonald obliges.
MacDonald lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
MacDonald misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jones Zica has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
MacDonald scores with a shoulder strike.
MacDonald misses with a shot to the kidneys.
MacDonald tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
MacDonald changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zica fights it off and pushes away nicely.
MacDonald looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zica looks to score with a jab to the body but MacDonald is just out of range.
Zica throws a series of punches but MacDonald moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald looks to land a combination but Zica avoids it well.

Zica clinches up against the cage.
Peppu Reiska MacDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zica tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zica goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zica.
MacDonald blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zica misses with the head strike.
Zica tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
MacDonald blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by MacDonald.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
MacDonald blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
MacDonald blocks a body shot from Zica.
MacDonald misses with a hook from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Peppu Reiska MacDonald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for MacDonald, 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Peppu Reiska MacDonald!
A relieved looking Peppu Reiska MacDonald thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.