PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ronnie McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Polo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McDonald comes to the cage accompanied by Get Busy Living. Polo has chosen On The Floor as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

McDonald
vs
Polo

165 cm
21
155 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

178 cm
25
153 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ronnie McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marco Polo!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonald displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Polo.
Polo throws a head kick that misses.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Polo has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

McDonald fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Polo to the ground. McDonald is now in Polo's guard.
McDonald throws a big elbow that misses.
McDonald trying to move into half guard but instead Polo has managed to sweep!

Polo trying to control but McDonald is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Polo is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
McDonald controls Polo momentarily but Polo frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
McDonald trying to strike off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald trying to control the position here.
McDonald seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Polo is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Polo is in close to McDonald's body, working some short punches and elbows.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McDonald is on top in guard.

McDonald controls from within his opponent's guard.
Polo controls McDonald momentarily but McDonald frees himself.

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.
McDonald is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Polo seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Polo keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
McDonald looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

McDonald closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Polo to the mat! Polo manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Polo is keeping the position.
McDonald trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Polo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McDonald wants to stand but Polo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McDonald stopping the sweep attempt from Polo.
Polo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McDonald's guard.

Polo chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Polo stands and steps away. McDonald gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
McDonald fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Polo shoots in for a takedown but McDonald shows good takedown defense.
Horrible takedown attempt by McDonald or perhaps it was just good defense by Polo, which made it look bad.
Polo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McDonald swivels and escapes.
Ronnie McDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Polo.
Polo throws a solid leg kick but McDonald takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Polo.
Polo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marco Polo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Polo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McDonald counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McDonald displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Polo.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Polo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
McDonald tries to clinch but Polo moves out of range.

McDonald decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Polo fails with the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Polo as McDonald shoots in.
Polo with a poor takedown
and Polo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Polo.
Ronnie McDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Polo.

McDonald moves into the clinch successfully.
McDonald is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Polo is defending well for now.

McDonald gets control of Polo's arms and successfully pulls guard. McDonald will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Polo trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Polo won't allow McDonald to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Polo trying to control but McDonald is working from the bottom.
McDonald controlling Polo's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polo won't allow McDonald to sweep him here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Polo trying to control but McDonald is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Polo.
Polo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

McDonald looking to score a takedown here. Polo is defending well but McDonald drives through and ends up in Polo's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McDonald stands up from Polo's guard - McDonald perhaps looking for a knockout.
A decent looking cross lands there for McDonald.
Polo shoots in for a takedown but McDonald shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Polo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Polo fails with the takedown
and McDonald counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McDonald tries to clinch there but Polo circles away.
Polo is trying hard to land a takedown here. McDonald sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

McDonald closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
McDonald is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Polo can do to turn this around?
McDonald gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Polo.
McDonald prevents a takedown attempt there.
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 is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Polo is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Polo fails to land the takedown.
McDonald looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Polo.

McDonald shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Polo napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Polo is letting McDonald control him for a moment.
Polo wants to control but McDonald postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polo sneaks back into half guard.
McDonald is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Polo reverses the position - he's now on top in McDonald's guard.
Polo pushes down on McDonald's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McDonald holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are battling for position here. McDonald manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Polo wants to control from the top but McDonald keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie McDonald dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

McDonald clinches up with Polo and pushes him back against the cage.
McDonald is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Polo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
McDonald is trying to force a seperation but Polo has the dominant position.

McDonald has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Polo uses from the top position.
McDonald looking to hit a scissor sweep but Polo is one step ahead there.
Polo wants to stand and escape but instead McDonald has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald tries to stand but Polo is controlling from the bottom.
Polo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Polo is looking to take a break and control but McDonald is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McDonald works his way to full guard. Good work.
McDonald keeping moving, preventing Polo from controlling successfully.

McDonald is working an open guard so Polo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
McDonald tries to bum rush Polo with a series of wild strikes but Polo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

McDonald has taken the fight to the clinch.
McDonald misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McDonald manages to break the clinch.
Polo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

McDonald dives in and scores a takedown into Polo's guard.
McDonald stops Polo from standing up.
Polo controls McDonald momentarily but McDonald frees himself.
McDonald not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

McDonald stands and steps away. Polo gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Polo fails with a takedown attempt.

Polo closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald looking to stall.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Polo.
McDonald misses with a short punch on the inside.
McDonald gets underhooks to prevent Polo's takedown attempt.
Ronnie McDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Polo.
McDonald drops down looking for an ankle pick but Polo pulls his leg out and moves away.

McDonald shoots in and gets a takedown into Polo's guard.
McDonald might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Polo is trying to control the position but McDonald postures up.
McDonald is stalling in the full guard.
McDonald won't allow Polo to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McDonald gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ronnie McDonald is winning the standup battle so far.
Polo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Polo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by McDonald or perhaps it was just good defense by Polo, which made it look bad.
McDonald defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Polo.
Ronnie McDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Polo goes for a double leg but McDonald avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McDonald continues to drive forward.
Marco Polo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Polo being controlled against the cage.
Polo takes a shot to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDonald avoiding damage as Polo throws knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ronnie 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ronnie McDonald!
An out of breath Ronnie McDonald thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.