PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Zarco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will MacDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Will MacDonald enters the cage!

Zarco
vs
MacDonald

170 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

167 cm
25
144 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Intelligent

Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Pedro Zarco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Will MacDonald!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacDonald has a takedown stuffed.
Zarco is looking to counter the offense by MacDonald and move into the clinch.

Zarco rushes MacDonald and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
MacDonald taking a breather.
MacDonald wants to stall.
Zarco prevents the takedown attempt.
Zarco gets through MacDonald's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Zarco leaning against his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacDonald working hard to break the clinch.
MacDonald goes for a takedown attempt but Zarco pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Pedro Zarco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will MacDonald.
MacDonald doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Zarco counters by moving into the clinch.
Zarco will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning MacDonald up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarco stalling against the cage.
Zarco is pushing MacDonald up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
MacDonald has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zarco after a bit of a struggle.
Zarco slows down the pace here.
MacDonald is looking to break free of the clinch but Zarco has double underhooks.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Zarco gets underhooks to prevent MacDonald's takedown attempt.

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.
Zarco is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
MacDonald is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zarco to keep the fight standing.
MacDonald takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from MacDonald fails to land.
MacDonald tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
MacDonald is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
MacDonald seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Zarco taking a breather.
A body shot lands from Zarco.
MacDonald can't get the takedown.
Zarco has MacDonald pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zarco's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Zarco is leaning against MacDonald and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Zarco just leaning against MacDonald, taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Pedro Zarco.
MacDonald gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Zarco counter with a right hand.

Zarco gets a clinch.
Zarco throws a blind hook that connects with the side of MacDonalds head.
Zarco has MacDonald pressed against the cage.
Zarco displaying some good clinch control by pressing MacDonald up against the cage.
Zarco throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zarco controlling the action here for a moment.
MacDonald jumps guard but Zarco stands there with MacDonald around his waist. MacDonald gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zarco lands a body shot.
Zarco will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning MacDonald up against the cage.
The referee calls for Zarco to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zarco leaning against his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Zarco dominated that 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.

MacDonald takes one to the chin there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from MacDonald.
MacDonald with a poor takedown
letting Zarco counter with a right hand.
Zarco tries to close the distance and clinch but MacDonald swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Will MacDonald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
MacDonald shoots and misses
and Zarco counters with a left to the body.
Pedro Zarco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will MacDonald.
MacDonald misses with a takedown attempt - Zarco sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zarco is looking to counter the offense by MacDonald and move into the clinch.
Zarco is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacDonald fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zarco avoids it really well and circles away.
As MacDonald tries to get set, Zarco tries to push him back and clinch up but MacDonald manages to avoid the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarco stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zarco wants it to stay on the feet.

Zarco closes the distance and pushes MacDonald back into the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for MacDonald.
Zarco taking a breather.
Zarco lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt MacDonald or not.
Zarco is pushing MacDonald up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
MacDonald looking to slow down the pace here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zarco creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pedro Zarco has scored more points in the clinch so far.
MacDonald throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zarco is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
MacDonald has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
MacDonald letting Zarco take a breather here.
Zarco content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Pedro Zarco.
Zarco tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but MacDonald paws at him with a jab and circles away.
MacDonald shoots in looking for a takedown. Zarco tries to sprawl out of it but MacDonald keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zarco manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zarco is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that MacDonald can do to turn this around?
MacDonald shoots in looking for a takedown. Zarco tries to sprawl out of it but MacDonald keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zarco manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zarco seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald darts in looking for a takedown but Zarco gets double underhooks and turns MacDonald into the cage.
MacDonald fails with the takedown

and Zarco counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Zarco slowing the pace effectively.
Zarco lands a left hand that snaps the head of MacDonald backwards.
MacDonald tries to break the clinch but Zarco is controlling the position.
MacDonald wants a takedown but no success here.
Zarco is stalling here.
Zarco is struggling to control the position.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Zarco takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Zarco for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
A short body shot lands from Zarco as the two fighters clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald letting Zarco take a breather here.
Zarco lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of MacDonald backwards.
MacDonald tries for a takedown but Zarco manages to get underhooks.
Zarco is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zarco is pushing MacDonald up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
MacDonald wants a takedown but no success here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Zarco - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Pedro Zarco.
MacDonald shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zarco defends it nicely.
Zarco swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Zarco 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

MacDonald looks for a takedown but Zarco sprawls well.

MacDonald throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Zarco tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. MacDonald is in Zarco's guard.
Zarco is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst MacDonald is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zarco avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zarco on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zarco tries to get out of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Zarco has wrist control.
Zarco avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
MacDonald landing some decent shots from guard.
MacDonald is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarco wants to stand and escape but MacDonald is having none of it.
MacDonald controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
MacDonald loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zarco utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
MacDonald makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Zarco looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Zarco wants to sweep here but MacDonald controlling him for the moment.
MacDonald stops Zarco from standing up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Zarco defends well against a solid takedown attempt from MacDonald.
Zarco seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Zarco clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zarco gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from MacDonald.
Pedro Zarco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will MacDonald.
MacDonald is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zarco to keep the fight standing.
Zarco avoiding damage.
Zarco lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down MacDonald.
Zarco stops a takedown attempt from MacDonald.
MacDonald looking for a takedown.
Zarco lands a left hand that snaps the head of MacDonald backwards.
Zarco stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Zarco.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zarco lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Zarco.
Zarco has MacDonald pushed against the cage.
Zarco is working MacDonald over against the cage.
Zarco taking a breather.
Zarco lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Zarco takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
MacDonald fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Zarco stalling in the clinch.
MacDonald is trying to pull guard but Zarco turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Zarco holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Pedro Zarco.
Zarco slaps away a takedown attempt from MacDonald, before circling back to the center of the mat.
MacDonald fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Zarco clinches with his opponent.
MacDonald is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
MacDonald tries to pull guard but Zarco holds him up against the cage and eventually MacDonald drops back down to his feet.
Zarco throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zarco throws a blind hook that connects with the side of MacDonalds head.
Will MacDonald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zarco lands a right hand that snaps the head of MacDonald backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pedro Zarco showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zarco, 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 30:26
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pedro Zarco!
Pedro Zarco took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Sully's Bar & Grill for their support in the buildup to the fight.