PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Booker McQuade (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McQuade comes to the cage accompanied by Eyes of a Ranger. Van Kirkland has chosen DJ Vadim - The Terrorist as his entrance music. Vladimir Van Kirkland has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McQuade
vs
Van Kirkland

178 cm
29
165 lbs
27 - 7 - 0

180 cm
33
164 lbs
24 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Booker McQuade!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vladimir Van Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Alec Ball and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McQuade jabs Van Kirkland right on the nose. Van Kirkland blinks but takes it well.
McQuade is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McQuade misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McQuade tries a head kick but it misses.
Van Kirkland avoids the head kick by McQuade.
Van Kirkland scores with a leg kick.
Van Kirkland checks the leg kick nicely there.
Van Kirkland moves out of range as McQuade throws a body kick.
Van Kirkland has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McQuade finds it's way round the side to connect with Van Kirkland's head.

McQuade rushes Van Kirkland and presses him up against the cage.
McQuade throws an elbow that misses.
McQuade unloads a knee to the mid-section. Van Kirkland lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

McQuade breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Van Kirkland avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McQuade looks to land a combination but Van Kirkland avoids it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McQuade blocks a leg kick.
Van Kirkland bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps McQuade's head backwards.
McQuade looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
McQuade looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Van Kirkland closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by McQuade. Beautiful body shot.
Van Kirkland fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McQuade manages to avoid it.
An inside leg kick lands from McQuade.
McQuade rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Van Kirkland moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Booker McQuade seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A good leg kick by Van Kirkland.
Crunch! Van Kirkland slams his shin into McQuade's torso.
McQuade lands with an overhand left.
McQuade connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Van Kirkland scoring well with a low kick there.
McQuade throws a nice outside leg kick.
Van Kirkland tries to work over McQuade's front leg with a kick but McQuade checks it.
McQuade misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Van Kirkland.
McQuade takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A chopping leg kick lands by McQuade.
Van Kirkland jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A cross from Van Kirkland lands.

McQuade clinches with his opponent.
Van Kirkland misses with the head strike.
McQuade misses with an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland is trying to break free.
I was talking to McQuade's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
McQuade working some nice short punches in the clinch.
McQuade misses with some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Van Kirkland creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Van Kirkland working aggressively here.
McQuade landing some nice looking knees to the body.
McQuade throws a punch but it's blocked by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but McQuade is keeping busy.

McQuade pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van Kirkland throws a leg kick but McQuade sees it coming and moves out of range.
McQuade takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
McQuade with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Van Kirkland tries to work over McQuade's front leg with a kick but McQuade checks it.
It looked like McQuade was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Van Kirkland.
McQuade tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Van Kirkland manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Van Kirkland takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

It looks like Vladimir Van Kirkland has been cut.
McQuade lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McQuade scores with a punch to the head.
McQuade motions for Van Kirkland to come forward. McQuade throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Van Kirkland throws a quick inside leg kick.
Van Kirkland tries a low kick but McQuade avoids it.
Van Kirkland throws a leg kick but McQuade sees it coming and moves out of range.
McQuade scores with a sloppy right hand. Van Kirkland should have avoided that one.
Van Kirkland throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Van Kirkland staying out of range there.
Van Kirkland throws a leg kick but McQuade checks it.
A jab from McQuade finds it's way through Van Kirkland's defenses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Van Kirkland. McQuade does a little dance to reset his feet.
Van Kirkland gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Van Kirkland feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to McQuade's calf.
Van Kirkland misses with a body shot.
A head kick misses from Van Kirkland.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McQuade tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Van Kirkland paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McQuade tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Van Kirkland manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from McQuade.
McQuade throws a poor cross that misses
and Van Kirkland counters with a good low kick that McQuade was not able to check.
Van Kirkland takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Van Kirkland punishes McQuade's body with a nice straight punch.
Van Kirkland misses with a kick to the body.
Van Kirkland misses with a wild body shot.
Van Kirkland stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McQuade.
McQuade tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McQuade lands with a nice body punch.
Van Kirkland wants to slow McQuade down by chopping away at his legs.
McQuade is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McQuade.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McQuade swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Van Kirkland uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McQuade.
McQuade lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
McQuade tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Van Kirkland manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McQuade throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Booker McQuade dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Van Kirkland's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Van Kirkland ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McQuade moves away.
Van Kirkland stuns McQuade with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
McQuade is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
McQuade lands a really nice looking cross but Van Kirkland seems unphased.
Van Kirkland avoids a punch combination nicely.
Van Kirkland walks into a stiff left hand from McQuade.
A chopping leg kick lands by Van Kirkland.
McQuade tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Van Kirkland is able to avoid easily.
A slow jab from McQuade misses its intended target.
McQuade blocks a head kick by Van Kirkland.
McQuade swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A big right from McQuade misses.
A leg kick checked by McQuade.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McQuade slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McQuade misses with a body shot.
McQuade pivots, looking for a leg kick but Van Kirkland is out of range and McQuade settles back down.
Van Kirkland throws a sloppy head kick and McQuade moves out of range easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good leg kick by Van Kirkland there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland misses with a few strikes there.
McQuade is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Van Kirkland.
McQuade looks to land a left hand but Van Kirkland moved out of range nicely.
McQuade tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Van Kirkland thows a left - swing and a miss!
Van Kirkland is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down McQuade rather than just go for the knockout.
McQuade lands with a thumping leg kick.
McQuade takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from McQuade.
Van Kirkland was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Van Kirkland throws a low kick but McQuade moves out of range easily.
McQuade just misses with a punch to the body.
McQuade scores with a head kick.
Van Kirkland swings for the body but McQuade moves out of range.
McQuade misses with a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Kirkland moves forwards but McQuade connects with a nice, crisp jab.
McQuade throws a shot from downtown. Van Kirkland moves away and avoids it.
McQuade paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
McQuade fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van Kirkland manages to avoid it.
Van Kirkland clobbers McQuade with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
McQuade appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
McQuade ducks under a wild hook from Van Kirkland.
McQuade blocks a low kick nicely.
McQuade throws a leg kick which misses Van Kirkland's front leg but catches the back leg as Van Kirkland tries to avoid it.
McQuade is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Van Kirkland can do to turn this around?
McQuade misses with a kick to the body.
McQuade pushes Van Kirkland away with a front kick.
That kick from McQuade tenderised Van Kirkland's leg. Van Kirkland is trying to keep his angry face on.
McQuade throws a head kick but Van Kirkland moves out of range.
Van Kirkland uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McQuade.
Van Kirkland scores with a push kick.
Van Kirkland lands a body shot.
McQuade fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McQuade ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McQuade takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Van Kirkland throws a right and a left that both miss.
McQuade misses with a wild combination.
A nice side step and Van Kirkland releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McQuade takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A solid leg kick lands there for Van Kirkland.
McQuade misses with a low kick.
Van Kirkland motions for McQuade to come forward. Van Kirkland throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice defenses there by McQuade.
Van Kirkland takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A combination from McQuade does no damage.
Van Kirkland is looking to slow McQuade down with leg kicks.
McQuade checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Van Kirkland circles away from the clinch attempt.
McQuade lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Van Kirkland circles away quickly and effectively.
McQuade throws a low kick but Van Kirkland avoids it.
Van Kirkland slips a jab from McQuade.
McQuade throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Van Kirkland lands a nice leg kick that just misses McQuade's sensitive parts.
A leg kick checked by McQuade.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland misses with a head kick.
Van Kirkland scores with a head kick. McQuade tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Kirkland scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McQuade doesn't seem bothered though.
The fighters circling - McQuade throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McQuade swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Van Kirkland takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Van Kirkland circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice defenses there by McQuade.
A lazy left from McQuade finds it's target.
McQuade throws a right and a left that both miss.
McQuade looks for the body kick but Van Kirkland saw that one coming.
McQuade connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from McQuade.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McQuade misses with a body punch
and Van Kirkland counters with a nice uppercut.
Van Kirkland throws a leg kick but McQuade sees it coming and moves out of range.
Van Kirkland takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Van Kirkland defending well as McQuade loads up on a big left hand.
McQuade backing away here, and Van Kirkland unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Booker McQuade will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Van Kirkland's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

McQuade avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McQuade has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland throws a half hearted mid kick.
McQuade fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Van Kirkland checks it well.
McQuade blocks a low kick nicely.

McQuade has closed the distance and engaged Van Kirkland in a clinch.
Van Kirkland lands with a right to the head.
Van Kirkland doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McQuade tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Kirkland avoids the damage to the body.
McQuade using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Van Kirkland has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
McQuade swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Van Kirkland escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McQuade throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Booker McQuade is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Kirkland throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Van Kirkland with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McQuade waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland thinks about the counter body kick.
McQuade takes a head kick and keeps coming.

McQuade is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Kirkland looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Oh McQuade is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
McQuade lands a nice shot to the body.
Van Kirkland takes a swing at McQuade's ribcage but misses.
McQuade seems to have got his legs back now.
That kick from Van Kirkland tenderised McQuade's leg. McQuade is trying to keep his angry face on.
McQuade tries to clinch but Van Kirkland is having none of it.
A combination from McQuade does no damage.
Van Kirkland lands a nice shot that snaps McQuade's head back.
Van Kirkland throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A looping hook to the body misses from McQuade. Van Kirkland does a little dance to reset his feet.
McQuade fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Van Kirkland on the side of the head.
McQuade moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Van Kirkland throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McQuade on the side of the head.
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!
McQuade tests Van Kirkland's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Van Kirkland chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McQuade can pounce on him.

McQuade clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland misses with the head strike.
Van Kirkland lands a body shot in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, McQuade just misses with a elbow thrown towards Van Kirkland's brow.
McQuade tries to stall but Van Kirkland uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Van Kirkland has a couple of punches blocked by McQuade.
McQuade lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Van Kirkland blocks the elbow strike.
Van Kirkland on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Van Kirkland manages to break the clinch.
Crunch! Van Kirkland slams his shin into McQuade's torso.
Van Kirkland scores with a jab to the head.
McQuade throws a hook but Van Kirkland blocks it.
McQuade keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Van Kirkland ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Van Kirkland fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McQuade.
Van Kirkland throws a nice outside leg kick.
Van Kirkland lands a head kick. McQuade smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McQuade throws a hook but Van Kirkland avoids it easily.
Van Kirkland looks to score with a jab to the body but McQuade is just out of range.
Nice body punch from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McQuade lands a high kick!
Van Kirkland scoring well with a low kick there.
Van Kirkland fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McQuade.
Van Kirkland looks for the body kick but McQuade saw that one coming.
Van Kirkland pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McQuade slips a straight right by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McQuade throws a series of strikes that have Van Kirkland backpedaling.
Van Kirkland throws a sloppy head kick and McQuade moves out of range easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McQuade takes a swing at Van Kirkland's ribcage but misses.
Van Kirkland tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McQuade was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Kirkland.
A head kick by McQuade misses
and Van Kirkland connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McQuade throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Van Kirkland on the side of the head.
Van Kirkland takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
McQuade fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McQuade tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Van Kirkland paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Van Kirkland tries to land a leg kick but McQuade saw it coming and moves away.
McQuade walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Van Kirkland has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
McQuade throws a sloppy head kick and Van Kirkland moves out of range easily.
Van Kirkland throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
McQuade is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
McQuade scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Van Kirkland blocks a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McQuade throws a shot from downtown. Van Kirkland moves away and avoids it.
McQuade avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McQuade throws a nice outside leg kick.
Van Kirkland scores with a jab. McQuade acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Vladimir Van Kirkland just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Van Kirkland's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McQuade jabs Van Kirkland right on the nose. Van Kirkland blinks but takes it well.
Van Kirkland misses with a hook.
McQuade lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McQuade tries a low kick but Van Kirkland avoids it.
McQuade avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McQuade misses with a looping right.

McQuade clinches with his opponent.
McQuade tries to land a knee to the head but Van Kirkland blocks with his arms.
Van Kirkland scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McQuade throws an elbow that misses.
Van Kirkland blocks a body shot from McQuade.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McQuade misses with a hook from the clinch.
Van Kirkland doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McQuade tries to land a knee to the head but Van Kirkland blocks with his arms.
Van Kirkland throws a head punch that misses.
Van Kirkland softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Van Kirkland blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Kirkland manages to break the clinch.
McQuade stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Van Kirkland.
A swing and a miss from McQuade.
Van Kirkland moves out of range as McQuade strikes.
A nice side step and Van Kirkland releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Van Kirkland lands a leg kick that knocks McQuade off balance momentarily.
McQuade scores with a decent looking hook.
Van Kirkland throws a low kick but McQuade moves out of range easily.
McQuade is looking to counter punch.
McQuade throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Van Kirkland misses with a head kick.
A quick step to the side and McQuade tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Van Kirkland takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
McQuade blocks a head kick by Van Kirkland.

McQuade rushes Van Kirkland and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McQuade tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McQuade lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Van Kirkland backwards.
Van Kirkland lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van Kirkland.
McQuade lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McQuade looks to throw an elbow but misses.
McQuade is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Kirkland is defending well for now.
Booker McQuade has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McQuade creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Van Kirkland's defenses.
Van Kirkland lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McQuade backwards.
Van Kirkland takes a knee to the side of the body.
Van Kirkland is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Van Kirkland misses with some punches.
McQuade scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McQuade working Van Kirkland over with knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
McQuade tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Kirkland avoids the damage to the body.
McQuade makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Van Kirkland's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McQuade turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

McQuade darts in and clinches Van Kirkland up against the cage.
McQuade is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Van Kirkland pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McQuade throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland circles away from the clinch attempt.
Van Kirkland lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McQuade swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McQuade avoids the head kick by Van Kirkland.
McQuade cracks Van Kirkland with a good jab.
McQuade lands a leg kick that knocks Van Kirkland off balance momentarily.
A combination from Van Kirkland does no damage.
Van Kirkland lands with a straight right. McQuade didn't see that one coming.
Good standup being displayed there by McQuade as he connects with a hook.
Van Kirkland throws a shot from downtown. McQuade moves away and avoids it.
McQuade lands with a straight right. Van Kirkland didn't see that one coming.
McQuade lands a jab to the nose.
Van Kirkland avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Van Kirkland misses with a head kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McQuade throws a big shot that misses.
McQuade just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McQuade connects with a looping right hand.
Van Kirkland throws a jab when McQuade was well out of range.
McQuade half committed to a counter leg kick.
Van Kirkland tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McQuade lands a lovely overhand right.
McQuade is looking to clinch but Van Kirkland is avoiding it.
McQuade with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
McQuade scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Van Kirkland is looking to score with low kicks.
Van Kirkland wants to slow McQuade down by chopping away at his legs.
Van Kirkland lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McQuade bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Van Kirkland swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Van Kirkland thows a leg kick but McQuade checks it
and McQuade counters with a low kick, right behind Van Kirkland 's knee.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McQuade looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Van Kirkland throws a sloppy head kick and McQuade moves out of range easily.
Van Kirkland throws a low kick but McQuade avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Booker McQuade had his way with Vladimir Van Kirkland in that round.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Van Kirkland's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McQuade misses with a few strikes there.
McQuade's corner calls for a 1-2. McQuade obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
McQuade lands a jab to Van Kirkland's midsection.
McQuade fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Van Kirkland avoids the body shot from McQuade.
McQuade scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
McQuade gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McQuade scores with a leg kick.
McQuade scores with a hook.
Van Kirkland moves out of range of the body kick.
That kick from Van Kirkland tenderised McQuade's leg. McQuade is trying to keep his angry face on.
McQuade feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Van Kirkland's calf.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Kirkland changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Van Kirkland with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McQuade to score with a decent uppercut.

McQuade gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McQuade gets through Van Kirkland's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland is trying to force a seperation but McQuade has the dominant position.
Van Kirkland takes a shot to the head.
Van Kirkland takes a knee to the side of the body.
Van Kirkland misses with a punch on the inside.
Van Kirkland fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from McQuade.
McQuade blocks an uppercut.
McQuade lands a hook that snaps the head of Van Kirkland backwards.
Van Kirkland is trying to push McQuade away but McQuade has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Van Kirkland looking to slow down the pace here.
McQuade looking to slow down the pace here.
McQuade lands an elbow inside that Van Kirkland shrugs off.
Van Kirkland throws a head punch that misses.
Van Kirkland blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
McQuade has a couple of punches blocked by Van Kirkland.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland blocks an uppercut.
Van Kirkland tries a body shot but McQuade blocks it.
McQuade throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McQuade.
McQuade lands a shoulder strike.
McQuade lands an elbow that stopped Van Kirkland in his tracks for a moment.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McQuade is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Van Kirkland is defending well for now.
McQuade landing knees to the body.
McQuade scores with a shoulder strike.
McQuade prevents Van Kirkland from breaking the clinch.
Van Kirkland blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Van Kirkland dodges an elbow strike from McQuade.
McQuade has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McQuade tries a knee to the head but Van Kirkland blocks it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Van Kirkland.
McQuade misses with a punch on the inside.
McQuade throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Van Kirkland blocks it with crossed arms.
McQuade with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Van Kirkland - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Van Kirkland on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Van Kirkland wants to get back to striking at distance but McQuade won't allow it.
McQuade has a couple of punches blocked by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland pushes McQuade back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
McQuade lands an uppercut.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
McQuade is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McQuade tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Van Kirkland avoids it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McQuade creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
McQuade prevents a body shot from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland scores with a shot to the side of McQuade's head.

Van Kirkland's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McQuade lands a nice hook to Van Kirkland's body. Van Kirkland takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Van Kirkland lands a front kick.
McQuade thuds a left hand into Van Kirkland's body.
Vladimir Van Kirkland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McQuade can pounce on him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McQuade scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Van Kirkland keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Van Kirkland throws a nice inside leg kick.

McQuade fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Van Kirkland, pushing him back against the cage.

Van Kirkland breaks the clinch.

McQuade clinches with his opponent.
A frustrated look appears on Van Kirkland's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Van Kirkland trying to control the position but instead, McQuade has worked for underhooks and has pushed Van Kirkland into the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. McQuade obliges.
McQuade trying to land knees to the body.
Van Kirkland goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Van Kirkland misses with a punch on the inside.
Booker McQuade is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Van Kirkland pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McQuade misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
As McQuade backs off Van Kirkland throws a huge counter combo but McQuade manages to avoid it all.

And that's the end of the fight!
Booker McQuade showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McQuade 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Booker McQuade!
Booker McQuade retains his lightweight title!
Our winner, Booker McQuade, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.