PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yoel Palacio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Calvin McGrath (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Calvin McGrath will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Palacio
vs
McGrath

150 cm
19
138 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
26
165 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Perkele!
Spartan Nutrition

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yoel Palacio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Calvin McGrath!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Jonathan Paton and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGrath takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
McGrath looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Palacio closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Palacio is looking to take a break and control but McGrath is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McGrath tries to control but Palacio manages to take his back.
McGrath can't escape the position.
McGrath is trying to remain composed but Palacio is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Palacio keeps control of the position as McGrath tries to break free.
McGrath is keeping busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGrath covers up after that shot from Palacio.
Palacio doesn't have the hooks in and McGrath manages to turn into his guard.
McGrath tries to free his leg and advance position but Palacio is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palacio looking to hit a scissor sweep but McGrath is one step ahead there.
McGrath trying to control the position from guard on top but Palacio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Palacio has McGrath pulled in close to control his posture.
Palacio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McGrath.
Palacio looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McGrath in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
McGrath looking to sit in guard and control but Palacio gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McGrath fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McGrath throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Palacio with a jab.
Yoel Palacio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from McGrath.
McGrath throws a sloppy head kick
and McGrath takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McGrath fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Palacio avoids it really well and circles away.
Palacio swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
McGrath looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Palacio. No joy for McGrath on that attempt.
Palacio listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

It looks like Calvin McGrath has been cut.

Palacio shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McGrath's guard.
Palacio lands a couple of digs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Palacio is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Palacio distracts McGrath with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Palacio makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

McGrath is rocked!
Palacio lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McGrath is still in real trouble! Can Palacio finish him?
Palacio gets to his feet and stands over McGrath, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! McGrath felt that one! Palacio unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save McGrath from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Yoel Palacio!
An out of breath Yoel Palacio thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.