PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank McAfee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoel Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McAfee
vs
Romero

177 cm
24
194 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

190 cm
23
195 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frank McAfee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoel Romero!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Fedor Mirinova and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McAfee has closed the distance and engaged Romero in a clinch.

McAfee has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Romero is trying to keep an underhook but McAfee manages to get the takedown into half guard.
McAfee not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McAfee scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
McAfee is keen to just control but Romero is a slippery customer.
McAfee is really struggling to control Romero but he's trying to hold on to the position.
McAfee thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Romero's head.
Romero wants to improve his position but McAfee is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McAfee connects with a nice short shot to Romero's temple.

McAfee is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McAfee is working for a submission of some sort.

McAfee stands up out of the half guard.
McAfee shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Romero as he avoids it easily.
McAfee throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's two 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.
Horrible takedown attempt by McAfee or perhaps it was just good defense by Romero, which made it look bad.
McAfee throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McAfee shoots in looking for a takedown but Romero manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McAfee's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank McAfee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McAfee throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

McAfee feints and as Romero raises his hands in defense, McAfee changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
McAfee might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
McAfee stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Romero swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McAfee working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

McAfee drops back, looking for a kneebar! Romero looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Romero looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Romero!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAfee can't do much from the bottom here.
McAfee is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
McAfee is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Romero's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
McAfee regains full guard. Nicely done.
McAfee wants to sweep here but Romero controlling him for the moment.
McAfee trying to control the position here.

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.

McAfee throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McAfee not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Romero works over McAfee with some ground and pound from guard.
McAfee seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Romero landing some decent shots from guard.
McAfee has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Romero throwing strikes from guard but McAfee blocks nicely.

McAfee manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank McAfee dominated that round.
That's time! McAfee's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McAfee has managed to clinch.

McAfee pulls guard successfully.

McAfee throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McAfee avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McAfee not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McAfee looking for a sweep. Not yet McAfee, not yet.
Romero with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romero throwing strikes but missing.
Romero trying to control but McAfee is working from the bottom.
Romero scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero looking to pass the guard.

McAfee has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Romero can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
McAfee avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McAfee pulls Romero in close to his closed guard and prevents Romero from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Romero's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

McAfee looking for a guillotine here but Romero defends easily.
McAfee looking to control.

That's two 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.

McAfee had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Romero defends it easily.
Romero postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McAfee wants to stand and escape but Romero is having none of it.

McAfee pushes Romero off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
McAfee changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Romero tries to avoid it but McAfee manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Romero to the ground. Romero escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Frank McAfee seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McAfee shoots in but Romero avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McAfee.
McAfee shoots in for a takedown but Romero shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank McAfee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McAfee goes for a double leg but Romero avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Romero continues to drive forward.

Romero looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for McAfee!
Frank McAfee overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McAfee is trying to get back to half guard.
Romero lands a few punches from side control.
Romero working away.
McAfee on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McAfee manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
We've been informed that Romero has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
McAfee gets back to full guard.
McAfee bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Romero's guard.

McAfee pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Romero is keeping the position for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McAfee stands and steps away. Romero gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
McAfee shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Romero sprawls well. Romero wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McAfee gets slowly back to his feet.
Romero tries to counter by closing the distance.
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 Frank McAfee will probably get the nod.
That's time! McAfee's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McAfee gets caught flat footed, as Romero shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
McAfee tries to land a sweep but no joy.

McAfee isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Romero stacks McAfee on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Romero!
McAfee holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McAfee throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
McAfee looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Romero is fending him off so far but McAfee persists. Nope, Romero circles away and we're back to standing.
McAfee shoots in looking for a takedown. Romero tries to sprawl out of it but McAfee keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Romero manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McAfee instigates a clinch.

Romero has picked McAfee up - he's going for a ride! Romero dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
McAfee trying to control from the bottom.
Romero prevents McAfee from improving his position.
McAfee missing with punches from the bottom.

McAfee has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Romero is on him like a limpet, forcing McAfee back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McAfee lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McAfee stalling away here and it's allowed Romero to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
McAfee missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Romero working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McAfee.
McAfee won't allow Romero to sweep him here.
McAfee wants to stand but Romero is controlling his posture from full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAfee wants to control from the top but Romero keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McAfee shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank McAfee. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Romero shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McAfee manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
McAfee working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McAfee is looking for a triangle but Romero pushes his legs off easily.
McAfee wants to sweep here but Romero controlling him for the moment.
Romero missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
McAfee avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

McAfee gets a clinch.

McAfee pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McAfee tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Romero swivels and escapes.
McAfee fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Yoel Romero.
I think McAfee has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank McAfee!