PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brian Pillman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gregory McVaughn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gregory McVaughn has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pillman
vs
McVaughn

175 cm
19
153 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

171 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

GREEN!160
Instinct

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brian Pillman !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Gregory McVaughn!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
That kick from McVaughn tenderised Pillman 's leg. Pillman is trying to keep his angry face on.
McVaughn displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pillman .
McVaughn connects with an inside leg kick.
Pillman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McVaughn swings for the body but Pillman moves out of range.
Pillman changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Pillman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McVaughn avoids it really well and circles away.
McVaughn throws a nice head kick!
Pillman throws a hook but McVaughn blocks it.
McVaughn fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McVaughn closes the distance and pushes Pillman back into the cage.

Pillman has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but McVaughn regains guard immediately.
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!
Pillman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McVaughn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pillman wants to pass the guard but McVaughn is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pillman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pillman 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.
Pillman lands a couple of elbows.
Pillman throwing strikes but missing.
McVaughn seems keen to control Pillman 's posture.
Pillman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McVaughn is keeping the position for now.
McVaughn controlling Pillman 's posture.
Pillman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

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.
Pillman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pillman is fighting to break McVaughn's control of his arms but McVaughn is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Pillman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pillman with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pillman working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
We've been hearing good reports from Pillman 's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
McVaughn pulls Pillman in close to prevent any damage.
Pillman wants to control from the top but McVaughn keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pillman controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
McVaughn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pillman looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pillman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McVaughn as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Pillman . That's going to take a lot out of him.
McVaughn moves in looking to clinch but Pillman pushes him off.
McVaughn tries to clinch there but Pillman circles away.
Pillman just misses with a punch to the body.
McVaughn tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pillman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gregory McVaughn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Pillman .
Pillman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McVaughn dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Pillman . That did some damage!
McVaughn goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

McVaughn moves into the clinch.
Pillman wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McVaughn throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pillman blocks it with crossed arms.
McVaughn using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pillman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Pillman turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pillman wants to control but McVaughn is keeping him busy.
McVaughn struggling a bit here.
Pillman working the ground and pound but McVaughn is defending the strikes.
Pillman wants to lay and pray for a moment but McVaughn keeps working.
Pillman scoring with punches and elbows.
Pillman tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
An elbow from Pillman crashes against the mat.
Pillman postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pillman has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McVaughn.
McVaughn scores with a leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for McVaughn.
Pillman takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Pillman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McVaughn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McVaughn throws a leg kick which misses Pillman 's front leg but catches the back leg as Pillman tries to avoid it.
An inside leg kick lands from McVaughn.
McVaughn tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pillman swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pillman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McVaughn cracks the inside of Pillman 's front leg.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pillman . McVaughn does a little dance to reset his feet.

Pillman tries to keep at a distance but McVaughn has taken the fight into the clinch.

Pillman manages to break the clinch.
Pillman misses the shot to the body.
McVaughn keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pillman .
This has been an exciting period of action!
McVaughn lands a nice leg kick that just misses Pillman 's sensitive parts.
McVaughn misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pillman thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
McVaughn throws a head kick but Pillman moves out of range.
Pillman attempts a counter takedown but McVaughn avoids it well and moves away.

McVaughn rushes Pillman and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Pillman is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Pillman changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McVaughn fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McVaughn lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McVaughn throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
McVaughn throws a leg kick which misses Pillman 's front leg but catches the back leg as Pillman tries to avoid it.
Pillman throws a shot from downtown. McVaughn moves away and avoids it.
McVaughn counters with a body kick.
McVaughn scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McVaughn tries to clinch up.
McVaughn connects with a high kick.
Pillman stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McVaughn.
McVaughn has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Pillman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

McVaughn clinches up against the cage.
Pillman lands a body shot in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McVaughn lands a good knee to the midsection. Pillman won't want to take too many of those.

Pillman has McVaughn pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Pillman pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending McVaughn tumbling to the mat - Pillman dives into McVaughn's guard.
McVaughn working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pillman .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McVaughn controlling Pillman 's posture.
Pillman slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McVaughn struggling a bit here.
Pillman misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Pillman in side control, throwing shots but McVaughn defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on McVaughn's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pillman in side control, throwing shots but McVaughn defends.
McVaughn avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Pillman .
Pillman in side control lands a decent elbow.
Pillman in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
McVaughn parries the strikes from Pillman easily there. Pillman is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable McVaughn to escape.
Pillman tries to score with some ground and pound. McVaughn controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
McVaughn is looking to regain half guard here but Pillman keeps moving and retains side control.
Pillman tries to score with some ground and pound. McVaughn controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Pillman scoring with punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McVaughn tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pillman working the ground and pound from side control.
Pillman throwing strikes but McVaughn manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
McVaughn controls the position.
Pillman tries to bench press McVaughn off him but McVaughn keeps the position.
Pillman is working hard here to advance position.
McVaughn is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Pillman tries to improve position but can't.
Pillman prevents McVaughn from moving into mount.
Pillman is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gregory McVaughn will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McVaughn has Pillman up against the cage in a clinch.
McVaughn taking a breather.
McVaughn putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pillman in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McVaughn with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pillman is looking for a takedown.
Pillman goes for a takedown in the clinch but McVaughn prevents it.
McVaughn utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
McVaughn looking to throw knees to the head but Pillman is blocking nicely.
McVaughn unloads a knee to the mid-section.
McVaughn lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McVaughn breaks from the clinch.
Gregory McVaughn seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pillman misses with an uppercut. McVaughn saw that one coming.
Pillman just misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A nice inside leg kick there by McVaughn. That's going to slow Pillman down.
Pillman misses with a straight left.

Pillman shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McVaughn is controlling Pillman 's trapped leg to prevent Pillman from advancing to side control.
Pillman wants to free his trapped foot but McVaughn is holding on for dear life with his legs.
McVaughn keeping control of the position.
Pillman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Pillman is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pillman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McVaughn trying to control here.
Pillman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pillman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McVaughn's head.
McVaughn has his hands clasped together around Pillman 's back. He's all about the action.
Pillman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McVaughn is holding on to half guard well.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Pillman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pillman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Pillman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Pillman in particular looking to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McVaughn chopping away at his opponent's legs.
McVaughn goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gregory McVaughn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McVaughn fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

McVaughn darts in and clinches Pillman up against the cage.
Pillman drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McVaughn gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Pillman . That's going to take a lot out of him.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McVaughn breaks from the clinch.
Pillman shoots for a takedown but McVaughn saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pillman connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Pillman fails with a takedown attempt.
McVaughn tries a quick counter leg kick but Pillman is wise to it.
McVaughn moves in looking to clinch but Pillman pushes him off.
Pillman takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McVaughn fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Pillman .
Pillman shoots in for a takedown but McVaughn shows good takedown defense.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McVaughn moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by McVaughn. That's going to slow Pillman down.
A nice leg kick lands there from McVaughn.
Pillman misses with a straight right.
McVaughn only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Pillman stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McVaughn.

McVaughn darts in and clinches Pillman up against the cage.
Pillman is working for takedown but McVaughn is calmly controlling the position for now.

McVaughn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McVaughn throws a nice inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gregory McVaughn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McVaughn has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gregory McVaughn!
After winning the bout, Gregory McVaughn thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.