PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Oko Poli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conor McCracken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCracken has chosen Rebels Song - Come out and Fight as his entrance music. 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.

Poli
vs
McCracken

172 cm
25
165 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

177 cm
25
155 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

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 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Oko Poli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor McCracken!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poli defending well as McCracken loads up on a big left hand.
Poli closes the distance and clinches up with McCracken, looking for a takedown. Poli pushes McCracken against the cage but McCracken circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Poli dives in and scores a takedown into McCracken's guard.
McCracken is looking to sweep but instead, Poli has passed into half guard.
McCracken is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Poli's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Poli's back!
McCracken has the hooks in. Poli is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

McCracken has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Poli has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Poli manages to reverse the position and now he's in McCracken's guard. Nice work there by Poli.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

McCracken looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Poli trying to control the position from guard on top but McCracken is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Poli is really struggling to control McCracken but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Poli passes McCracken's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Poli definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Poli seems to be looking for submissions.

McCracken looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McCracken is looking to improve his position.
McCracken gets full guard.
McCracken not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

McCracken is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Poli wants to control from the top but McCracken keeps moving.
McCracken wants to sweep here but Poli controlling him for the moment.
McCracken lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Poli working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McCracken doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McCracken manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McCracken wants to pass the guard but Poli is keeping the position.
McCracken trying to control but Poli is working from the bottom.

McCracken got a little sloppy there for a moment and Poli has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McCracken has managed to get both his arms back between Poli's legs - danger averted.

Poli escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McCracken gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
McCracken trying to control but Poli is working from the bottom.
Poli looking to hit a scissor sweep but McCracken is one step ahead there.

Poli is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCracken stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Poli swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCracken wants to control from the top but Poli keeps moving.
McCracken wants to pass the guard but Poli is keeping the position.

McCracken drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McCracken jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
McCracken trying to control the position from guard on top but Poli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Poli looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Poli escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McCracken gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Poli keeping full guard, as McCracken tries to pass.
McCracken slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poli tries to bench press McCracken off him but McCracken keeps the position.
McCracken lands an elbow.
McCracken wants to control but Poli is keeping him busy.
Poli is looking for a sweep.
McCracken wants to lay and pray for a moment but Poli keeps working.
McCracken gets to mount! Poli was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
McCracken takes Poli's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Poli is in trouble.
McCracken has the hooks in. Poli is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Poli is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if McCracken gets his way!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Poli is really stuck here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor McCracken dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McCracken lands with a thumping leg kick.
No luck for Poli with that takedown attempt.
Poli takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Oko Poli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Poli looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

McCracken working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Poli doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Poli manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

McCracken looking for a guillotine here but Poli defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poli stopping the sweep attempt from McCracken.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poli tries to free his leg and advance position but McCracken is retaining full guard.
Poli pushing down on McCracken's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Poli is looking for a kimura but McCracken is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Poli to get the leverage.

Poli is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McCracken defends it well.

Poli is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McCracken doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Poli.
McCracken wants to get back to full guard.

Poli wants to work for an arm triangle but McCracken is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Poli is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
McCracken wants to improve his position but Poli is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCracken trying to control here.
McCracken is trying to get back to full guard.
Poli seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McCracken does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Poli prevents McCracken from improving his position.

McCracken looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
McCracken wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCracken trying to control here.
Oko Poli overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Poli seems to be working for a kimura but McCracken defends the submission attempt.
McCracken tries to roll over but Poli keeps him under control.

McCracken looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

McCracken looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McCracken moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Poli looking to pass the guard.
McCracken is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Poli trying to control but McCracken is working from the bottom.
McCracken looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Poli pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCracken is keeping the position for now.
McCracken keeping moving, preventing Poli from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oko Poli dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

McCracken lands with a slapping head kick.
Poli on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McCracken. McCracken obviously looking to wear him down.

Poli scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
McCracken wants to improve his position but Poli is controlling well.
McCracken is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Poli moves into full mount! McCracken won't be happy about that!
Poli fails to move to back control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCracken tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
McCracken slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
McCracken is looking for a sweep. Poli is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCracken works his way to full guard. Good work.
Poli trying to control but McCracken is working from the bottom.
Poli works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Poli is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Poli trying to mount his opponent but McCracken defends it.
McCracken is looking for a sweep. Poli is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Poli moves nicely into side control.
Poli taking a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Poli looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Poli is trying to get an arm triangle but McCracken is defending well.
McCracken prevents Poli from improving position.
McCracken is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Poli trying to control the action but McCracken is working from the bottom.
McCracken is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCracken keeps trying to improve his position.
Poli trying to control the action but McCracken is working from the bottom.

Poli tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Poli has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
McCracken is looking to reverse the position.

Poli thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McCracken is trying to improve his position.
McCracken stops Poli from passing to mount.
McCracken tries to buck Poli off but Poli is having none of it.

Poli working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McCracken tries to improve position but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oko Poli showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Poli 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oko Poli!
After the fight, Oko Poli was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.