PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Roach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew McConnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jesse Roach has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Roach
vs
McConnell

211 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

165 cm
25
153 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jesse Roach!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matthew McConnell!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Steve Erwin and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McConnell takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Roach fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McConnell manages to avoid it.
McConnell misses with a head kick.
McConnell throws a right and a left that Roach avoids nicely.
McConnell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Roach moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McConnell has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Roach.
A punch combination from McConnell misses.
Roach really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
McConnell avoids the body shot from Roach.

McConnell throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Roach tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. McConnell is in Roach's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

McConnell gets to his feet. Roach looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
McConnell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Roach closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming McConnell to the mat! McConnell manages to get full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Roach throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McConnell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roach postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Roach has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
McConnell 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.
McConnell has his hands on Roach's head, controlling the position.
Roach throws a big elbow that misses.

McConnell looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Roach will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Roach throws a big elbow that misses.
Roach throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Roach wants to get up but he can't break McConnell's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Roach knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McConnell on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Roach decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McConnell, up you get!
Roach throws a head kick that misses.
McConnell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Roach throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
McConnell lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Roach circles away quickly and effectively.
McConnell misses with a combination
and Roach counters with a left to the body.

Roach scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Roach is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McConnell is holding Roach down, trying to stall.

Roach goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, McConnell has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Roach but great work by McConnell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McConnell has knee on belly and moves into mount.
McConnell with good strikes from the mount here!

Roach is rocked!

It looks like Jesse Roach has been cut.
McConnell content just to control the position here.
Oh Roach is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Roach takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! McConnell's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Matthew McConnell!
Matthew McConnell seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.