PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Garth Cabrera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Colm MacDonnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Garth Cabrera has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Cabrera
vs
MacDonnell

217 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
18
130 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Garth Cabrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Colm MacDonnell!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

MacDonnell scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
MacDonnell throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
MacDonnell trying to control the action but Cabrera is working from the bottom.
Cabrera is looking for a sweep. MacDonnell is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
MacDonnell throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
MacDonnell seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
MacDonnell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cabrera. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cabrera is trying to stand back up but MacDonnell is controlling him
Cabrera blocking the ground and pound attempt from MacDonnell.
MacDonnell trying to control from half guard but Cabrera is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Colm MacDonnell wasn't active enough on the ground.
MacDonnell takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Cabrera fails with the takedown

so MacDonnell counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
MacDonnell throws a big right hand that misses.
MacDonnell throwing strikes from guard but Cabrera blocks nicely.
MacDonnell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonnell works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cabrera is looking for a sweep. MacDonnell is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
MacDonnell is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
MacDonnell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cabrera is trying to get back to full guard.
Cabrera wants to control but MacDonnell is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cabrera looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

MacDonnell closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Cabrera quickly recovers to half guard.
Cabrera is breathing heavily.
MacDonnell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cabrera defending well though.
MacDonnell not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
MacDonnell scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
We've been informed that MacDonnell has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
MacDonnell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MacDonnell decides to stand up.
MacDonnell scores with a jab to the head.
Cabrera dives in and grabs MacDonnell's left leg, looking for a takedown. MacDonnell pushes down on Cabrera's head and hops out.

MacDonnell gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

MacDonnell gets a trip takedown into half guard.
MacDonnell is trying to control the action in half guard but Cabrera is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Well, if MacDonnell is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cabrera misses with some strikes from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Colm MacDonnell dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

MacDonnell drives through with a takedown into guard.
MacDonnell is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Cabrera managing to control the position.
Colm MacDonnell has got the better of the ground game so far.
MacDonnell trying to control the position from guard on top but Cabrera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

MacDonnell changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cabrera looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonnell wants to stand but Cabrera has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.
MacDonnell throws a strike but Cabrera rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Cabrera wants to get up but he can't break MacDonnell's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Cabrera wants to control from the top but MacDonnell keeps moving.
MacDonnell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonnell keeping moving, preventing Cabrera from controlling successfully.
Cabrera throws a big right hand that misses.
MacDonnell is looking to stand up but Cabrera isn't so interested in that idea.

MacDonnell is working an open guard so Cabrera takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
MacDonnell is breathing heavily.

MacDonnell shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Cabrera napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Cabrera is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, MacDonnell asserts his dominance and retains side control.
MacDonnell in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from MacDonnell are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Cabrera struggling a bit here.
MacDonnell with the ground and pound but Cabrera regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
MacDonnell is trying to control. Cabrera wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cabrera is looking to escape.
Cabrera really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cabrera manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
MacDonnell connects with a couple of short punches.
Cabrera keeping moving, preventing MacDonnell from controlling successfully.
Cabrera 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.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Cabrera is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Colm MacDonnell 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!

MacDonnell moves into range and clinches up with Cabrera.
Cabrera lands a nice knee to the body.

MacDonnell jumps into guard, dragging Cabrera to the mat.
Cabrera will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cabrera throwing strikes but missing.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if MacDonnell can do anything to dispel that myth.
MacDonnell looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cabrera is one step ahead there.
Cabrera is looking to work some ground and pound but MacDonnell has wrist control.
MacDonnell being controlled here, momentarily.
Cabrera lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonnell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cabrera.
MacDonnell is adopting a defensive guard.
Cabrera would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
MacDonnell keeping moving, preventing Cabrera from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Cabrera is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

We're going to have a standup here because Garth Cabrera wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

MacDonnell looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Cabrera!
MacDonnell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
MacDonnell working the body and head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera tries to get back to half guard but can't.
MacDonnell working the head and body with strikes.
MacDonnell takes a little break here. Cabrera wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
MacDonnell misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
MacDonnell trying to control the action but Cabrera is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonnell postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
MacDonnell in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
MacDonnell tries to stand but Cabrera controls the position and pulls MacDonnell into his guard.
MacDonnell must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
MacDonnell scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera keeping moving, preventing MacDonnell from controlling successfully.
Cabrera preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
MacDonnell is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Colm MacDonnell has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

MacDonnell shoots in and bounces Cabrera off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Garth Cabrera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Colm MacDonnell is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Cabrera working for a triangle but MacDonnell defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Colm MacDonnell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well MacDonnell has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Colm MacDonnell!