PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Logan McDaniel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taj Gibson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

McDaniel
vs
Gibson

185 cm
29
193 lbs
12 - 12 - 1

189 cm
28
185 lbs
6 - 3 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Logan McDaniel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Taj Gibson!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Saam Ante and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gibson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McDaniel shoots in for a takedown but Gibson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gibson unleashes a big counter combination but McDaniel bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

McDaniel rushes Gibson and presses him up against the ropes.

McDaniel manages to break the clinch.
McDaniel punishes Gibson's body with a nice straight punch.
Gibson blocks a head kick by McDaniel.
McDaniel shoots in for a takedown but Gibson shows good takedown defense.
Gibson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

McDaniel closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Gibson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as McDaniel walks away with a smile on his face. Gibson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gibson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McDaniel shoots in for a double leg but Gibson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Logan McDaniel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDaniel changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
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!
Gibson scores with a three punch combo!

McDaniel has closed the distance and engaged Gibson in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibson misses with a punch on the inside.
Gibson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as McDaniel walks away with a smile on his face. Gibson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Logan McDaniel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McDaniel goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
McDaniel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McDaniel throws a body shot but no joy.
McDaniel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McDaniel shoots in and drives through. Gibson sprawls well.

McDaniel moves into the clinch.
Gibson fails to pull guard.
Gibson is trying to break the clinch but McDaniel has him pressed against the ropes.

McDaniel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McDaniel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gibson manages to avoid it.
Taj Gibson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDaniel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gibson defends well and McDaniel ends up having to push Gibson into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McDaniel takes the fight into the clinch.
Gibson is trying to pull guard but McDaniel turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Gibson takes a shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDaniel pushes Gibson back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Gibson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gibson blocks the elbow strike.
A left hand lands to the body for McDaniel.

McDaniel pulls Gibson into guard.

McDaniel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McDaniel on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McDaniel tries to get out of the position.

McDaniel escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gibson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
McDaniel tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDaniel is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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

McDaniel looking for a guillotine here but Gibson defends easily.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

McDaniel looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Gibson has picked McDaniel up and slammed him! McDaniel can't keep hold of the triangle and Gibson manages to pass to side control!
Gibson tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
McDaniel tries to get back to half guard but can't.
McDaniel is working hard here to advance position.
McDaniel looks to move to half guard but instead Gibson has passed into mount! Damn!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Logan McDaniel dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McDaniel looks for a takedown but Gibson sprawls well.
McDaniel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gibson can do to turn this around?
McDaniel scores with a shot to the body.
McDaniel misses with a takedown attempt - Gibson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gibson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Gibson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McDaniel.
McDaniel tests Gibson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
McDaniel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gibson defends well and McDaniel ends up having to push Gibson into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Logan McDaniel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDaniel tries for a takedown but Gibson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McDaniel with a hook.
McDaniel lands a nice shot to the body.
McDaniel misses with a takedown attempt - Gibson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gibson is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Logan McDaniel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDaniel looks to score with a jab to the body but Gibson is just out of range.

McDaniel forces Gibson back against the ropes and clinches.
McDaniel lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gibson backwards.
McDaniel gets through Gibson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

McDaniel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gibson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McDaniel is looking to wear down Gibson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McDaniel misses the shot to the body.
Gibson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gibson blocks a head kick by McDaniel.
McDaniel misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
McDaniel throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gibson's waist but Gibson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McDaniel off to one side.
Gibson leaves McDaniel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Gibson. Those never looked like landing.
McDaniel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
McDaniel needs to keep his hands up - Gibson had a free shot at his head there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gibson throws a lazy uppercut
and McDaniel counters with a lovely straight right hand!

McDaniel has Gibson up against the ropes in a clinch.
Logan McDaniel has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McDaniel scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McDaniel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

McDaniel manages to break the clinch.

McDaniel instigates a clinch.
McDaniel lands a nice shot to the body.
Gibson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McDaniel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDaniel throws a knee to the head but misses.
Come on Gibson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Gibson takes a shot to the head.

McDaniel jumps guard and drags Gibson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Gibson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

McDaniel looking for a guillotine here but Gibson defends easily.

McDaniel working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gibson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gibson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

McDaniel is looking for a triangle here but Gibson uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Gibson wants to stand but McDaniel is controlling his arm.
McDaniel is looking for a sweep.
Gibson tries to stand but McDaniel is controlling his head.
McDaniel looking for a sweep but Gibson has passed into full mount! Oh no!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Logan McDaniel dominated that second round.
That's time! McDaniel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nice body punch from McDaniel.
Gibson misses with the combination.

McDaniel has taken the fight to the clinch.
McDaniel lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McDaniel is struggling to control the position.
McDaniel taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gibson takes a shot to the head.
Gibson tries to break free but McDaniel pushes him back against the ropes.

McDaniel pulls Gibson into guard.
Gibson tries to stand but McDaniel is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McDaniel working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Gibson has passed into half guard!
McDaniel is looking to improve his position.

McDaniel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Taj Gibson has got the better of the ground game so far.

McDaniel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gibson pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

McDaniel actively working from the bottom here.

McDaniel looking for submissions off his back.
Gibson wants to get back to his feet.
McDaniel wants to get back to full guard.

McDaniel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gibson pulls his head out easily.
Gibson is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Gibson gets tackled into the ropes by McDaniel. McDaniel maintains the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
The referee is keeping an eye on McDaniel - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
McDaniel lands a nice uppercut.

McDaniel breaks the clinch.
McDaniel shoots in and drives through. Gibson sprawls well.
McDaniel scores with a body shot.
McDaniel throws a sloppy head kick and Gibson moves out of range easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Gibson misses.
McDaniel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gibson manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McDaniel has managed to clinch.
McDaniel is trying to pull guard but Gibson has him pressed against the ropes.
McDaniel scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gibson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McDaniel lands an uppercut.
McDaniel scores with a nice hook to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDaniel goes for a takedown attempt but Gibson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Logan McDaniel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gibson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Taj Gibson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McDaniel tries to close the distance and clinch but Gibson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gibson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McDaniel counters with a left and a right that stings Gibson.
Logan McDaniel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDaniel cracks the inside of Gibson's front leg.
McDaniel fails in his attempt to clinch.
McDaniel jabs Gibson to the body, keeping him at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Logan McDaniel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McDaniel, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Logan McDaniel!
Logan McDaniel decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.