PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chris McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Downing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Downing's choice of entrance music: Ya Life's on the line by 50 Cent. Danny Downing has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McDonald
vs
Downing

191 cm
23
159 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

189 cm
23
157 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Danny Downing!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Daniel Bishop and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McDonald has taken the fight to the clinch.

McDonald breaks the clinch.
Downing shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McDonald as he avoids it easily.

McDonald drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
McDonald throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McDonald pushing down on Downing's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but Downing defending well.
McDonald is thwarting Downing's attempts to control the position.
McDonald trying to control the action but Downing is working from the bottom.
McDonald trying to advance position but Downing counters by regaining guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Downing holds on and takes a little breather.
McDonald controlling from the top position.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Downing is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McDonald really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Downing has his hands on McDonald's head, controlling the position.
McDonald controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Downing is pulling down on McDonald's head. It's preventing any offense from McDonald, at least for the moment.
Downing keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
McDonald pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Downing is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Downing trying to keep a closed guard but McDonald is proving a slippery customer.
McDonald wants to get up but he can't break Downing's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Downing is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Downing looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
McDonald pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Downing is keeping the position for now.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McDonald wants to clinch up but Downing keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Downing.
Downing wants to lay and pray for a moment but McDonald keeps working.
McDonald regains half guard there - taking advantage of Downing's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
McDonald tries to roll over but Downing keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Downing controlling the pace.
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 Chris McDonald will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Downing closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Downing lands in his opponent's guard.
McDonald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McDonald can't keep his opponent in guard - Downing advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
McDonald is trying to get back to full guard.
Downing trying to control the action but McDonald is working from the bottom.
McDonald tries to get to full guard but Downing has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Downing passes to side control.

Downing tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Downing has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
McDonald is trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Downing decides to stand up, so the ref orders McDonald to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Downing gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and McDonald counters by moving into the clinch.

McDonald breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick misses from McDonald.

McDonald gets caught flat footed, as Downing shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
McDonald looking to control.
Downing looking to sit in guard and control but McDonald gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
McDonald throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald looking to pass the guard.
Downing is trying to control the position but McDonald postures up.
McDonald working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Downing trying to control the position here.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Downing has McDonald pulled in close to control his posture.
Downing is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
McDonald 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.
Downing managing to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDonald loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Downing showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! McDonald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Downing gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and McDonald counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Downing!
McDonald controlling his opponent.
McDonald looking to ground and pound but Downing is blocking nicely.
Downing tries to hold on but McDonald pushes him away.
Downing might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control McDonald kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McDonald lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Downing tries to hold on but McDonald postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald thowing shots but they're missing.
McDonald dominating with strikes here.
Downing is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Downing is squirming around, avoiding McDonald's attempts to control the action.
McDonald avoids the attempt from Downing to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Downing is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but McDonald is staying active.

Despite being in the dominant position, Danny Downing just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McDonald is looking to clinch.
Downing keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McDonald.
Downing misses with a takedown attempt

and McDonald counters with a nice double leg into side control. Downing won't be happy with that.
McDonald throws a strike aimed at the side of Downing's head but Downing avoids it well.
Downing can't do much from the bottom here.
McDonald in side control, throwing shots but Downing defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
What's Downing going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Downing struggling a bit here.
McDonald tries to advance to mount but can't.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Downing working away.
McDonald is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Downing is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt McDonald will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
McDonald is looking for a sweep.
Downing is working McDonald over with some ground and pound from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris McDonald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McDonald has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight for Chris McDonald!
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Chris McDonald!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Chris McDonald!

Chris McDonald wins by unanimous decision!