PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brock Cormier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rod Maclaren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brock Cormier had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 171.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Rod Maclaren is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cormier
vs
Maclaren

180 cm
22
181 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

184 cm
27
178 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Sparta Fightware

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brock Cormier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rod Maclaren!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cormier shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Maclaren's guard.
Cormier tries to free his leg and advance position but Maclaren is retaining full guard.

Maclaren is looking for a triangle but Cormier pushes his legs off easily.

Cormier avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Maclaren is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Maclaren seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Maclaren is trying to hold Cormier in close to prevent damage but Cormier has managed to pass into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cormier is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Maclaren makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Maclaren.

Maclaren looking for a guillotine here but Cormier defends easily.
Cormier showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maclaren wants to control the position but Cormier says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Cormier in particular looking to stall.
Maclaren is trying to get back to full guard.

Maclaren is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cormier pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maclaren trying to control here.
Cormier is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maclaren looking for a kimura from the bottom but Cormier passes into side control!
Maclaren is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cormier moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Maclaren is looking for a sweep.
Cormier has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Maclaren tries to hold on but Cormier pushes him away.
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 Brock Cormier will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cormier tries for a takedown but Maclaren sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cormier throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Maclaren's waist but Maclaren gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cormier off to one side.

Maclaren drops Cormier with a beautiful combination! Cormier stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Maclaren is looking for the KO!

It looks like Brock Cormier has been cut.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cormier throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Maclaren tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cormier is in Maclaren's guard.
Cormier 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.
Maclaren trying to control the position.

Maclaren working for a triangle but Cormier defends it easily.
Maclaren wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maclaren looking for subs off his back but Cormier has passed one foot through into half guard.
Still in half guard, Cormier seems content to control.
Maclaren is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maclaren manages to get to full guard.

Maclaren looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Cormier has picked Maclaren up and slammed him! Maclaren can't keep hold of the triangle and Cormier manages to pass to side control!
Maclaren wants to control but Cormier postures up.
Brock Cormier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cormier gets to mount! Maclaren was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Maclaren has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maclaren really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cormier is trying to take his opponent's back.
Maclaren is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cormier has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Maclaren is still trying to improve position.
Maclaren tries to hold on but Cormier pushes him away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maclaren is in all sorts of trouble here.
Maclaren regains half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maclaren moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rod Maclaren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Brock Cormier's cut.
That's time! Cormier's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Maclaren throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Cormier gets a takedown into half guard.

Maclaren looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cormier keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Maclaren is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cormier pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maclaren wants to improve his position but Cormier is controlling well.
Cormier with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Maclaren wants to control but Cormier is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maclaren wants to get back to full guard.
Maclaren trying to get back to full guard but Cormier takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Maclaren is trying desperately to improve position.
Cormier controlling his opponent.
Maclaren tries to lock up and control but Cormier gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maclaren tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Maclaren is controlling an arm, preventing Cormier from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Maclaren keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Cormier controlling the pace for now.
Maclaren is trying to reverse the position but instead Cormier has taken his back - oops!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cormier really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Maclaren.
Maclaren tries to escape but Cormier has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Maclaren trying to control the hands but Cormier won't let him.
Maclaren can't escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brock Cormier showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cormier 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight for Rod Maclaren!
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight for Rod Maclaren!
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight for Rod Maclaren!

Rod Maclaren wins by unanimous decision!
Rod Maclaren gave a mention to Red Square Fight Gear in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).
In defeat, Brock Cormier stepped up to the mic, saying 'I let him win'.