PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Milford Perry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James McNeil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Perry
vs
McNeil

173 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

210 cm
25
251 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Milford Perry!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James McNeil!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McNeil closes the distance and pushes Perry back into the cage.
Perry is struggling to control the position.

Perry breaks from the clinch.
Perry throws a poor cross that misses
and McNeil counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
James McNeil seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Perry showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McNeil.
Perry really is a fat lump.

Perry shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McNeil manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Perry trying to control the position from guard on top but McNeil is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McNeil is looking for a triangle but Perry pushes his legs off easily.

Perry decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McNeil, up you get!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

McNeil feints and as Perry raises his hands in defense, McNeil changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Perry being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNeil wants to control from the top but Perry keeps moving.

Perry looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Perry is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McNeil is aware though and is defending well.
McNeil trying to control the position from guard on top but Perry is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Perry keeping full guard, as McNeil tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNeil is looking to stand up but Perry won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McNeil wants to control from the top but Perry keeps moving.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
McNeil wants to get up but he can't break Perry's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

McNeil got a little sloppy there for a moment and Perry has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McNeil has managed to get both his arms back between Perry's legs - danger averted.

Perry escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McNeil gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Perry has a closed guard, preventing McNeil from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Perry working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McNeil doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McNeil manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McNeil 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.
Perry manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
McNeil tries to hold on but Perry postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNeil is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Perry takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
McNeil keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Perry trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Perry lands a big elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Perry takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Perry lands with some strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Perry scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish McNeil?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

McNeil closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

McNeil gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
McNeil is looking to advance position but Perry won't allow it.
Perry throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The fighters are battling for position here. Perry manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
McNeil postures up in Perry's guard and throws a big left but Perry blocks it.
McNeil must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McNeil content to stall in guard here.
Perry trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNeil wants to control from the top but Perry keeps moving.
Perry might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
McNeil stays in close to Perry's body and controls the position.

Perry has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. McNeil is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Perry.
Perry is trying to work for a sweep but McNeil has mounted him!
McNeil unloads with some shots from mount but Perry bucks and avoids them well.

McNeil is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McNeil moves into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Perry is stalling here.
McNeil wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Perry breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McNeil throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

McNeil shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
McNeil is looking to take a break and control but Perry is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perry wants to get back to full guard.
McNeil wants to stand up but Perry has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Perry is pressing down on McNeil's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
McNeil is stalling in the full guard.

Perry had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McNeil defends it easily.
Milford Perry overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNeil controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Perry doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Perry isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. McNeil stacks Perry on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by McNeil!

McNeil stands up and beckons Perry to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James McNeil showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Perry tries for a takedown but McNeil sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

McNeil takes the fight into the clinch.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for McNeil. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Maybe Perry would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
McNeil tries to circle away but Perry has him pinned against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

McNeil has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Perry is trying to keep an underhook but McNeil manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Perry makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Perry.
Perry throwing short punches from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNeil advances to half guard.
McNeil wants to take a breather but Perry is having none of it.
Perry is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
McNeil seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Perry does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McNeil not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

McNeil stands up out of the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Perry is struggling to control the position.

McNeil ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. McNeil no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Perry is stalling in the full guard.
McNeil will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Perry trying to stand up but can't free himself from McNeil's guard.
McNeil looking for a sweep. Not yet McNeil, not yet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Perry trying to stand up but can't free himself from McNeil's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNeil is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Perry is controlling him.

McNeil is looking for a triangle but Perry pushes his legs off easily.
McNeil takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Perry decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McNeil, up you get!

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

Perry throws McNeil to one side and escapes!

McNeil closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
McNeil seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Perry does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Perry is looking for a sweep. McNeil is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Perry is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Perry is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Perry is staying active underneath McNeil, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. James McNeil hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Perry shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McNeil but McNeil pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

McNeil is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Perry's half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
James McNeil comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McNeil 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James McNeil!