PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wahoo McDaniel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marko Torturo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Torturo's choice of entrance music: Mogwai - Katrien. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McDaniel
vs
Torturo

186 cm
49
214 lbs
31 - 16 - 0

189 cm
43
217 lbs
45 - 25 - 4

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wahoo McDaniel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 45 - 25 - 4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marko Torturo!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDaniel slaps away a takedown attempt from Torturo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Torturo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McDaniel defends well and Torturo ends up having to push McDaniel into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
McDaniel attempts a counter takedown but Torturo avoids it well and moves away.
McDaniel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
McDaniel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Wahoo McDaniel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marko Torturo.

Torturo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McDaniel's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. McDaniel manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Torturo has McDaniel pressed against the cage.
McDaniel letting Torturo take a breather here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Torturo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Torturo stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torturo is pushing McDaniel up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Marko Torturo.
Torturo tries to score a power double leg takedown but McDaniel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Torturo somewhat.
McDaniel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Torturo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Torturo misses with a takedown

and McDaniel counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Torturo controlling the position for now.
McDaniel wants to stand but Torturo has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Torturo wants to improve his position but McDaniel is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like McDaniel is going to stand back up.
Torturo is looking for a sweep. McDaniel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Torturo is concentrating on defense, preventing McDaniel from advancing position.
McDaniel wants to stand up but Torturo is controlling the position.
Torturo is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Torturo has his hands clasped together around McDaniel's back. He's all about the action.
Torturo wants to get back to full guard.
Torturo controlling the leg, holding on to half 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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Torturo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McDaniel but McDaniel pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Torturo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDaniel's waist but McDaniel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Torturo off to one side.
McDaniel appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Horrible takedown attempt by Torturo or perhaps it was just good defense by McDaniel, which made it look bad.
McDaniel drops down looking for a counter takedown but Torturo sprawls and moves away.
Torturo tries to score a power double leg takedown but McDaniel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Torturo somewhat.
Torturo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDaniel's waist but McDaniel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Torturo off to one side.
McDaniel feinted with a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Torturo fails with the takedown.
Torturo looks winded!
Horrible takedown attempt by Torturo or perhaps it was just good defense by McDaniel, which made it look bad.
Torturo shoots in but McDaniel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Torturo fails to land the takedown.
McDaniel drops down looking for a counter takedown but Torturo sprawls and moves away.
Torturo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice sprawl there from McDaniel as Torturo shoots in.
Torturo shoots in but McDaniel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wahoo McDaniel dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Torturo closes the distance and clinches up with McDaniel, looking for a takedown. Torturo pushes McDaniel against the cage but McDaniel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McDaniel feinted with a counter takedown.
Torturo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice sprawl there from McDaniel as Torturo shoots in.
McDaniel attempts a counter takedown but Torturo avoids it well and moves away.
Wahoo McDaniel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marko Torturo.
Torturo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Torturo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McDaniel pinned against the cage. McDaniel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McDaniel feinted with a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Torturo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Torturo is breathing heavily.
McDaniel wants to stand up but Torturo is controlling him.
Torturo wants to control from the top but McDaniel keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torturo wants to pass the guard but McDaniel is keeping the position.
McDaniel is looking to stand up but Torturo isn't so interested in that idea.
Torturo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Torturo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of McDaniel is proving hard to escape from.

McDaniel has his feet on Torturo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Torturo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McDaniel tries to counter with a takedown but Torturo is quick to defend against it.
Torturo shoots in looking for a takedown but McDaniel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Torturo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDaniel slaps away a takedown attempt from Torturo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Torturo closes the distance and clinches up with McDaniel, looking for a takedown. Torturo pushes McDaniel against the cage but McDaniel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Torturo with a poor takedown

and McDaniel counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
McDaniel tries to stand but Torturo is controlling from the bottom.

McDaniel gets to his feet - Torturo follows without any prompting.
Torturo has a takedown stuffed.
Torturo doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McDaniel counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Torturo looking for a sweep. Not yet Torturo, not yet.
McDaniel has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Torturo is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Torturo is working an open guard so McDaniel takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Torturo shoots in looking for a takedown but McDaniel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Torturo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McDaniel drops down looking for a counter takedown but Torturo sprawls and moves away.
No luck for Torturo with that takedown attempt.
Torturo tries for a takedown but McDaniel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McDaniel drops down looking for a counter takedown but Torturo sprawls and moves away.
Nice sprawl there from McDaniel as Torturo shoots in.
McDaniel feinted with a counter takedown.
Torturo looks for a takedown but McDaniel sprawls well.
Torturo dives in for a single leg takedown but McDaniel sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Torturo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Torturo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McDaniel tries to avoid it but Torturo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McDaniel to the ground. McDaniel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McDaniel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Torturo can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDaniel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Torturo.
Torturo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McDaniel swivels and escapes.
McDaniel changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Marko Torturo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McDaniel defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Torturo.
McDaniel appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Torturo has his takedown stuffed

and McDaniel counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Torturo is trying to control the position from the bottom.

McDaniel stands up from Torturo's guard - McDaniel perhaps looking for a knockout.
McDaniel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McDaniel wants it to stay on the feet.
McDaniel attempts a counter takedown but Torturo avoids it well and moves away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Torturo dives in for a single leg takedown but McDaniel sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
McDaniel appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Torturo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McDaniel is fending him off so far but Torturo persists. Nope, McDaniel circles away and we're back to standing.
Torturo shoots and misses

and McDaniel counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Torturo!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wahoo McDaniel dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

McDaniel leaves Torturo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McDaniel feinted with a counter takedown.
Torturo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
McDaniel tries to counter with a takedown but Torturo is quick to defend against it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Torturo or perhaps it was just good defense by McDaniel, which made it look bad.
Wahoo McDaniel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marko Torturo.
Torturo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and McDaniel counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McDaniel.

McDaniel decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Torturo fails with a takedown attempt.
McDaniel changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Torturo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and McDaniel counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Torturo pushes McDaniel off but McDaniel dives into side control.
Torturo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torturo is trying to improve his position.

McDaniel stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Torturo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McDaniel as he avoids it easily.
McDaniel tries to counter with a takedown but Torturo is quick to defend against it.
Torturo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McDaniel pinned against the cage. McDaniel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Torturo tries for a takedown but McDaniel circles away easily

so McDaniel counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

McDaniel decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Torturo shoots in but no luck this time.
Marko Torturo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torturo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McDaniel as he avoids it easily.
Torturo tries for a takedown but McDaniel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McDaniel changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
McDaniel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McDaniel wants it to stay on the feet.
Torturo has a takedown stuffed.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Torturo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McDaniel defends well and Torturo ends up having to push McDaniel into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
McDaniel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Torturo is trying hard to land a takedown here. McDaniel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
McDaniel changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Torturo shoots in but McDaniel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
McDaniel appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Torturo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McDaniel sprawls well. McDaniel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Torturo gets slowly back to his feet.
McDaniel appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torturo shoots in but McDaniel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
McDaniel appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Torturo doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McDaniel counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McDaniel decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
McDaniel stuffs the takedown.
Torturo fails with a takedown attempt.
Torturo is trying hard to land a takedown here. McDaniel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Torturo tries to score a power double leg takedown but McDaniel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Torturo somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Torturo throws a sloppy body shot

and McDaniel counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McDaniel decides to stand back up.
Torturo with a poor takedown

and McDaniel counters with a single leg into guard. Torturo didn't expect that.
McDaniel tries to stand but Torturo is controlling from the bottom.

McDaniel stands up and waves to Torturo to follow him.
Torturo shoots in and drives through. McDaniel sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from McDaniel as Torturo shoots in.
McDaniel tries to counter with a takedown but Torturo is quick to defend against it.
McDaniel stuffs the takedown attempt from Torturo. Torturo gets slowly back to his feet.
McDaniel tries to counter with a takedown but Torturo is quick to defend against it.
A lazy body kick from Torturo

and McDaniel counters with a takedown into side control.
Wahoo McDaniel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

McDaniel has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wahoo 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wahoo McDaniel!
Wahoo McDaniel seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.