PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Maurice McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arvo Penaali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Penaali's choice of entrance music: Immortal Technique - Obnoxius. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McDonald
vs
Penaali

180 cm
35
184 lbs
34 - 20 - 1

180 cm
32
178 lbs
15 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Maurice McDonald!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Arvo Penaali!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McDonald gets caught flat footed, as Penaali shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Penaali is fighting to break McDonald's control of his arms but McDonald is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Penaali controls from within his opponent's guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Penaali working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Penaali accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Penaali chips away with some ground and pound.
Penaali pushing down on McDonald's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penaali content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Penaali throwing shots but McDonald is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penaali missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McDonald knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Penaali on the ground.
McDonald trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Penaali manages to pass to mount!
McDonald tries to hold on but Penaali postures up.
Penaali throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for McDonald because Penaali loaded up on that one.
Penaali avoids the attempt from McDonald to control.
Penaali raining down shots from the mount!
Penaali throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penaali lands a heavy elbow.
Penaali is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Penaali throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for McDonald because Penaali loaded up on that one.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Penaali content just to control the position here.
McDonald wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Penaali.
McDonald tries to lock up and control but Penaali gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Penaali unloading with bombs!
McDonald wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Penaali.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Penaali.
Penaali thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Penaali with the ground and pound from mount.
Penaali looking to finish with strikes here!
Penaali putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
McDonald is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Penaali controlling from the full mount.
McDonald blocking the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is wriggling around trying to escape.
McDonald is squirming around, avoiding Penaali's attempts to control the action.
Penaali can't control as he wanted to and McDonald manages to get the fight back to his half guard.

Penaali wants to work for an arm triangle but McDonald is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
McDonald moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Penaali has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Penaali throws a strike but McDonald rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvo Penaali dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McDonald misses the body punch

and Penaali counters with a takedown into side control.
Penaali working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Penaali has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Penaali controlling the position from side mount.

Penaali thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Penaali wants to control but McDonald is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Penaali.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penaali is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Penaali throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
McDonald takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Penaali with the ground and pound but McDonald regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Penaali is stalling here. McDonald is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Penaali seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and McDonald has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Penaali tries to buck McDonald off but McDonald is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penaali can't do much from the bottom here.
Penaali manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
McDonald content to control rather than advance.
Penaali is trying to stand back up but McDonald is controlling him
Penaali is looking for a sweep. McDonald is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Penaali moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penaali wants to control but McDonald passes easily into half guard.
Penaali is looking to get back to is feet but McDonald passes into side control.
Penaali is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on McDonald's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Penaali looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Penaali is looking for a sweep. McDonald is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Penaali is trying to maintain the position but McDonald is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
McDonald is keen to just control but Penaali is a slippery customer.
Penaali has a hand on McDonald's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. McDonald takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Penaali is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Penaali is trying to escape the mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Penaali slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Penaali looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Penaali tries to get to full guard but McDonald has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvo Penaali 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.

Penaali looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A cross from McDonald lands.

It looks like Arvo Penaali has been cut.
McDonald scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Penaali throws a series of punches but McDonald avoids them all with ease.
Penaali shoots in looking for a takedown. McDonald tries to sprawl out of it but Penaali keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McDonald manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McDonald stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McDonald wants it to stay on the feet.
Maurice McDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arvo Penaali.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald misses with a lunging right hand
and Penaali counters with a straight right hand.
Penaali throws a body shot but no joy.

Penaali looking to score a takedown here. McDonald is defending well but Penaali drives through and ends up in McDonald's guard.
Penaali throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penaali passes McDonald's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Penaali scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
McDonald avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Penaali.
Penaali working over McDonald with some ground and pound. McDonald looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
McDonald pushes Penaali off looking to stand but Penaali dives back in and keeps control.
Penaali is pressing down on McDonald's thigh, looking to free his foot. McDonald is holding on for now.

Penaali is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McDonald defends it well.
Well, if Penaali 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penaali not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Penaali not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McDonald makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McDonald.
McDonald keeping moving, preventing Penaali from controlling successfully.
Penaali throws an elbow that misses. McDonald uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Penaali's guard. Nice move by McDonald!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Penaali is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McDonald defends well.

McDonald got a little sloppy there for a moment and Penaali has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McDonald has managed to get both his arms back between Penaali's legs - danger averted.
McDonald has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
McDonald working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Penaali keeps moving.
McDonald working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Penaali preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McDonald slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Penaali not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A punch combination from Penaali misses.
McDonald throws a series of punches but Penaali avoids them all with ease.
McDonald misses with a hook.
McDonald misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Penaali counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
McDonald moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Penaali prevents McDonald from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvo Penaali really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Arvo Penaali's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nice shot lands for Penaali.
McDonald throws a body punch but Penaali moves out of range.
Penaali misses with a hook. McDonald ducked under it nicely.
The fighters circling - McDonald throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Penaali swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Penaali stalks McDonald and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McDonald's face. McDonald staggers backwards, shaken.
McDonald takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
McDonald ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Penaali moves away.
McDonald lands a slapping body shot.
McDonald misses with an attempted mid kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Penaali!
This has been an exciting period of action!
McDonald feints and then cracks Penaali's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Penaali down.
Penaali pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Penaali.
Penaali shoots in looking for a takedown but McDonald manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Penaali's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Penaali keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Penaali is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McDonald.
Penaali lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Arvo Penaali seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Penaali falls off balance throwing a combination
and McDonald counters with a stiff right hand.
McDonald looks to score with a jab to the body but Penaali is just out of range.
Nice shot lands for McDonald.
Arvo Penaali is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A looping hook to the body misses from McDonald. Penaali does a little dance to reset his feet.
Penaali misses with a right hand
and McDonald counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Penaali is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Penaali jabs at McDonald's body.
Penaali dodges the punch combination from McDonald.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penaali on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Penaali misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McDonald.
McDonald takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Penaali takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Maurice McDonald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDonald fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Penaali is out of range.
Penaali throws a jab when McDonald was well out of range.
Penaali thows a left - swing and a miss!
McDonald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McDonald misses with a left hand
and Penaali counters with a nice uppercut.
McDonald throws a sloppy head kick and Penaali moves out of range easily.
Penaali cracks a nice hook into McDonald's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penaali doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Penaali misses with a looping left.
Penaali misses with a series of wild punches.
Penaali shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McDonald counters with a slapping leg kick.
McDonald throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McDonald doesn't manage to clinch there - Penaali circles away.
Penaali uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McDonald.
McDonald is looking to wear down Penaali with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Penaali jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McDonald throws a body punch but Penaali moves out of range.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Penaali misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penaali just misses with a punch to the body.
Penaali throws a combination. McDonald tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
McDonald throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Decent striking displayed by Penaali there.
Penaali avoids a kick to the body.
McDonald ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Penaali moves away.
Penaali lands a nice looking body shot.
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!
McDonald ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Penaali moves away.
Penaali throws a looping overhand right but McDonald ducks down to avoid it.
Penaali avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Penaali takes a swing at McDonald's ribcage but misses.
Penaali keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvo Penaali dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Arvo Penaali's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Left hook, right uppercut from McDonald.
Penaali misses with a body shot.
A jab from Penaali does it's job there.
Penaali throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body punch from Penaali.
Penaali ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McDonald scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Maurice McDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Penaali throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McDonald just misses with a punch to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Penaali or perhaps it was just good defense by McDonald, which made it look bad.
Penaali swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald throws a body shot but no joy.
Penaali throws a body punch but McDonald moves out of range.
Penaali misses with a double jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Penaali is defended easily by McDonald.
McDonald uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Penaali has time to react.
Penaali misses with a body shot
and McDonald counters with a good low kick that Penaali was not able to check.
Penaali looks to land a combination but McDonald avoids it well.
Penaali circles away from the clinch attempt.
Penaali fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Penaali gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Penaali misses with a hook.
McDonald throws a body shot but no joy.
McDonald moves out of range as Penaali strikes.
Penaali throws a combination that misses
and McDonald counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That has opened up Arvo Penaali's cut even more.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Penaali feints a jab promting McDonald to slip. Penaali then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McDonald slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Penaali misses with an uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Penaali is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Penaali just misses with a punch to the body.
McDonald throws a shot from downtown. Penaali moves away and avoids it.
Penaali avoids the head kick by McDonald.

Penaali closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. McDonald quickly recovers to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is controlling Penaali's trapped leg to prevent Penaali from advancing to side control.
Penaali missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Maurice McDonald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McDonald is looking to improve his position.
McDonald avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Penaali.
Penaali drops an elbow to the side of McDonald's head.
Penaali tries to pass to full mount but McDonald defends it.

Penaali is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four 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.

Penaali maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! McDonald could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Penaali has cracked it and McDonald is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Penaali!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Arvo Penaali!
Arvo Penaali is the new welterweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Arvo Penaali thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.