PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Virgil Mccarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andres Bonifacio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mccarthy
vs
Bonifacio

157 cm
18
151 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Virgil Mccarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andres Bonifacio!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bonifacio gets a double leg takedown into Mccarthy's guard.
Bonifacio throwing strikes from guard but Mccarthy blocks nicely.
Bonifacio throwing strikes from guard but Mccarthy blocks nicely.
Bonifacio stopping the sweep attempt from Mccarthy.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bonifacio accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bonifacio must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bonifacio stops Mccarthy from standing up.
Bonifacio content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Mccarthy wants to stand and escape but Bonifacio is having none of it.
Mccarthy manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bonifacio manages to get himself to full guard.

Bonifacio working for a triangle but Mccarthy defends it easily.

Mccarthy decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bonifacio, up you get!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bonifacio shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mccarthy is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bonifacio trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mccarthy pulls Bonifacio in close to prevent any damage.
Bonifacio throwing strikes but missing.
Bonifacio trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Mccarthy looking for a guillotine here but Bonifacio defends easily.
Mccarthy controlling Bonifacio's posture.
Mccarthy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mccarthy wants to stand but Bonifacio is controlling the position.
Mccarthy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bonifacio prevents Mccarthy from getting back to his feet.
Bonifacio throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mccarthy wants to stand and escape but Bonifacio is having none of it.
Mccarthy trying to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bonifacio accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bonifacio with a nice head shot there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bonifacio's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bonifacio prevents Mccarthy from getting back to his feet.
Mccarthy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Mccarthy has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Bonifacio off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Mccarthy moves into the clinch successfully.

Mccarthy lands a takedown into guard.
Mccarthy wanted to stand there but Bonifacio had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonifacio manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mccarthy manages to get himself to full guard.

Mccarthy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bonifacio.
Mccarthy looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Bonifacio throwing strikes from guard but Mccarthy blocks nicely.
Mccarthy might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bonifacio looks winded!
Bonifacio is looking to work some ground and pound but Mccarthy has wrist control.
Bonifacio throws a big right hand that misses.
Bonifacio stops Mccarthy from standing up.
Mccarthy trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mccarthy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bonifacio throws a big right hand that misses.
Bonifacio prevents Mccarthy from getting back to his feet.
Mccarthy has Bonifacio pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bonifacio looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Bonifacio is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mccarthy's half guard.
Mccarthy keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mccarthy is trying to stand.
Mccarthy moves into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bonifacio is fighting to break Mccarthy's control of his arms but Mccarthy is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Mccarthy wants to sweep here but Bonifacio controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andres Bonifacio dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bonifacio.
Andres Bonifacio has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bonifacio misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Mccarthy could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Mccarthy is looking to reverse the position.
Mccarthy is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Bonifacio has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Bonifacio throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Mccarthy tries to escape but Bonifacio is in control.
Mccarthy managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bonifacio.
Mccarthy manages to get back to half guard.
Bonifacio prevents Mccarthy from standing back up.
Bonifacio throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Mccarthy to regain full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bonifacio cracks Mccarthy with a solid left hand.
Bonifacio throwing strikes from guard but Mccarthy blocks nicely.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mccarthy is on top in guard.

Bonifacio throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Mccarthy escapes and throws Bonifacio's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Bonifacio is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mccarthy scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Bonifacio to see if he's OK.
Mccarthy in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Mccarthy decides to stand up, so the ref orders Bonifacio to his feet.

Mccarthy closes the distance and clinches.

Bonifacio lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Mccarthy controlling the position for now.
Mccarthy is trying to stand up here but Bonifacio is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonifacio not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bonifacio throws a strike but Mccarthy avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Mccarthy wants to get back to his feet but Bonifacio is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bonifacio loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mccarthy has control of Bonifacio's left arm, preventing Bonifacio from doing any damage.
Bonifacio with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Mccarthy scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Mccarthy gets caught flat footed, as Bonifacio shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Mccarthy pushes Bonifacio off and scrambles back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Mccarthy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bonifacio, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mccarthy ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mccarthy no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Mccarthy wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mccarthy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bonifacio is controlling him.
Bonifacio throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mccarthy wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bonifacio with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mccarthy is controlling Bonifacio's posture.
Bonifacio throws a big elbow that misses.

Mccarthy has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Bonifacio has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Mccarthy turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Mccarthy controlling the position from side mount.
Bonifacio is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mccarthy is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bonifacio is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bonifacio is looking to regain half guard here but Mccarthy keeps moving and retains side control.
Bonifacio is trying to work for a sweep but Mccarthy has mounted him!
Bonifacio is desperately trying to improve his position but Mccarthy has a good base and remains in mount.

Mccarthy is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bonifacio drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Virgil Mccarthy dominated that second round.
That's time! Mccarthy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

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

Mccarthy has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Bonifacio off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Bonifacio throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mccarthy was covering up waiting for the punch and Bonifacio finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Mccarthy scrambles and gets back to his feet.
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!

Mccarthy drives through and clinches with Bonifacio against the cage.
Bonifacio gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mccarthy.

Bonifacio tightens his grip and picks Mccarthy up, before dumping him to the ground. Mccarthy manages to land in guard.
Mccarthy is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Bonifacio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mccarthy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bonifacio.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mccarthy kicks Bonifacio off and gets to his feet.
Mccarthy lands with a good body shot.

Bonifacio throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mccarthy was covering up waiting for the punch and Bonifacio finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Mccarthy has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Bonifacio is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Mccarthy has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bonifacio avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bonifacio gets underhooks to prevent Mccarthy's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Virgil Mccarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bonifacio is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mccarthy is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Bonifacio to the mat. Bonifacio regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

Bonifacio is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Bonifacio has clasped his hands together around Mccarthy's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Mccarthy avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Bonifacio.
Mccarthy is pushing Bonifacio's head away, looking to escape. Bonifacio manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mccarthy regains half guard.
Mccarthy is trying to stand.
Bonifacio missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bonifacio throws a strike but Mccarthy avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Mccarthy wants to stand up but Bonifacio is controlling him.
Bonifacio postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mccarthy wants to stand but Bonifacio is controlling the position.
Bonifacio throwing strikes from guard but Mccarthy blocks nicely.
Bonifacio throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonifacio throwing strikes from guard but Mccarthy blocks nicely.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mccarthy is on top in guard.

Hammerfist, elbow! yells Mccarthy's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Mccarthy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bonifacio can do to turn this around?

Bonifacio isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Mccarthy stacks Bonifacio on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Mccarthy!
Bonifacio is trying to get back to half guard.

Mccarthy decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Bonifacio gets the takedown into side control.
Mccarthy is pushing Bonifacio's head away, looking to escape. Bonifacio manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mccarthy sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Mccarthy wants to control but Bonifacio is keeping busy.
Mccarthy looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bonifacio throwing shots but Mccarthy is blocking nicely.
Mccarthy gets back to full guard.
Bonifacio working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mccarthy's head.
Mccarthy is controlling Bonifacio's posture.
Bonifacio preventing the sweep.
Mccarthy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bonifacio is working Mccarthy over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Virgil Mccarthy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mccarthy has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Virgil Mccarthy!