PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sherman McCullough (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Nordlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that David Nordlund was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

McCullough
vs
Nordlund

184 cm
25
218 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

Irish Collar & Elbow Nutrition and Laundry
Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sherman McCullough!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, David Nordlund!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCullough lands with a shot to the body.
David Nordlund seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nordlund fails with an attempt to clinch.
McCullough throws a series of punches but Nordlund avoids them all with ease.
Nordlund doesn't manage to clinch there - McCullough circles away.
Nordlund tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nordlund tries to clinch but McCullough moves away
and McCullough counters with a lovely shot to the body.
McCullough uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nordlund.
Nordlund wants to clinch but McCullough slips to the side
and McCullough counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nordlund tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nordlund wants to clinch up but McCullough keeps it at a distance.
Nordlund throws a head kick but McCullough moves out of range.
Nordlund throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

McCullough closes the distance and clinches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as McCullough takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
McCullough keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nordlund's efforts to push away.

McCullough drags the fight down to the ground.
Nordlund prevents McCullough from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nordlund wanted to stand there but McCullough had control of the position.
Nordlund loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nordlund trying to stand up but can't free himself from McCullough's guard.
Nordlund is fighting to break McCullough's control of his arms but McCullough is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Nordlund wants to stand and escape but instead McCullough has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

McCullough has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
McCullough is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

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.

McCullough stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nordlund tries to clinch up.
McCullough avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nordlund misses the jab.
McCullough circles away from the clinch attempt
and McCullough counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Nordlund. No joy for McCullough on that attempt.
David Nordlund is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McCullough scores with a one two! Nordlund had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like David Nordlund has been cut.
Nordlund has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
McCullough swats away the attempt to clinch by Nordlund.
Nordlund wants to clinch

and McCullough counters with a crisp one two that drops Nordlund! McCullough thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Nordlund to his feet! Nordlund is in big trouble!

Nordlund is rocked!
Nordlund throws the left hand but McCullough avoids the punch easily.
Nordlund is still on wobbly legs! Can McCullough finish him?
Nordlund displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McCullough.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCullough fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nordlund seems to have recovered his senses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sherman McCullough. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nordlund tries to clinch there but McCullough circles away.
Nordlund tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCullough swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice takedown defense from Nordlund. No joy for McCullough on that attempt.
McCullough misses with a wild combination.
Nordlund tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCullough swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McCullough went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Nordlund pushes McCullough up against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Nordlund fails to land.
Nordlund with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McCullough blocking some punches.
McCullough is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nordlund is defending well.
Nordlund is trying to break the clinch but McCullough is controlling him.
Nordlund prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nordlund misses with a short punch on the inside.
McCullough tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nordlund tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Nordlund breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Nordlund moves into the clinch.

McCullough pulls guard successfully.
Nordlund trying to stand up but can't free himself from McCullough's guard.

Nordlund stands up and waves to McCullough to follow him.
McCullough shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nordlund as he avoids it easily.
Nordlund is looking to clinch.
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!
Nordlund wants to clinch
and McCullough counters with a two punch combo.
Nordlund lands a jab-cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sherman McCullough will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on David Nordlund's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nordlund fails with an attempt to clinch.
McCullough shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nordlund but Nordlund pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nordlund is looking to clinch.
Nordlund fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nordlund doesn't manage to clinch there - McCullough circles away.
Nordlund tries to clinch
and McCullough counters with a series of strikes. Nordlund will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nordlund is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Nordlund gets tackled into the cage by McCullough. McCullough maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nordlund working aggressively here.
McCullough blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nordlund throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nordlund just misses with a elbow thrown towards McCullough's brow.
Nordlund misses with some punches.
McCullough is trying to pull guard but Nordlund has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nordlund escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nordlund moves to clinch but McCullough breaks away

and McCullough counters with a single leg into guard. Nordlund didn't expect that.

Nordlund manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Nordlund fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McCullough, pushing him back against the cage.
Nordlund misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nordlund is trying to push McCullough away but McCullough has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

McCullough breaks from the clinch.
McCullough fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sherman McCullough. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nordlund jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nordlund looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McCullough drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nordlund sprawls and moves away.
McCullough swats away the attempt to clinch by Nordlund.
McCullough tries to counter by clinching up but Nordlund breaks away and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCullough avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

McCullough moves into the clinch.
Nordlund is trying to force a seperation but McCullough has the dominant position.
Nordlund swings wildly with an uppercut but McCullough uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCullough taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
McCullough has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nordlund after a bit of a struggle.
Nordlund swings wildly with an uppercut but McCullough uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCullough avoiding damage.
Nordlund tries to break the clinch but McCullough is controlling the position.
Nordlund looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nordlund tries to break free but McCullough pushes him back against the cage.
McCullough tries to pull guard but Nordlund forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
McCullough blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCullough tries to pull guard but Nordlund forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
McCullough lands a left hand.
Nordlund tries to circle away but McCullough has him pinned against the cage.
Nordlund creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
McCullough wants to get back to striking at distance but Nordlund won't allow it.
McCullough trying to land knees to the body.

McCullough breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nordlund tries to clinch but McCullough is having none of it.
Nordlund closes the distance but McCullough moves to the side
and McCullough counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nordlund tries to clinch up but McCullough circles away and keeps his distance.
McCullough changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
McCullough shoots in for a takedown but Nordlund shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McCullough avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

McCullough clinches up with Nordlund and pushes him back against the cage.

Nordlund pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

McCullough breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nordlund throws out a loose jab but McCullough uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nordlund tries to clinch but fails miserably

and McCullough counters with a shoot takedown. Nordlund fights it but they end up in guard.

Nordlund pushes McCullough off and scrambles back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nordlund tries to clinch there but McCullough circles away.
McCullough appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nordlund tries to clinch there but McCullough circles away.
McCullough seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Nordlund tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McCullough paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sherman McCullough is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nordlund tries to clinch up.
McCullough misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nordlund fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nordlund fails in his attempt to clinch.
McCullough tries to counter with a takedown but Nordlund is quick to defend against it.
Nordlund is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As Nordlund tries to get set, McCullough tries to push him back and clinch up but Nordlund manages to avoid the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sherman McCullough will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on David Nordlund's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nordlund moves out of range of the leg kick from McCullough.

McCullough clinches with his opponent.
McCullough on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
McCullough tries to pull guard but Nordlund won't allow it.
Nordlund misses with a short punch on the inside.
McCullough has had enough of the clinch but Nordlund keeps him there for the moment.
Nordlund pushes off an throws an elbow but McCullough leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

McCullough escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nordlund moves to clinch but McCullough breaks away

and McCullough counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Nordlund makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nordlund is looking to clinch.
Nordlund fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nordlund tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCullough swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nordlund tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCullough swats him away and circles back towards the center.
It looked like McCullough was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nordlund misses with an uppercut. McCullough saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCullough keeps the fight on the outside.
Nordlund blocks a head kick by McCullough.
Nordlund fails with an attempt to clinch.
McCullough swats away the attempt to clinch by Nordlund.

McCullough closes the distance and clinches.
A left hand lands to the body for Nordlund.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McCullough wants to take the fight to the mat but Nordlund manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McCullough.
McCullough blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McCullough slowing the pace effectively.
Nordlund creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
McCullough tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McCullough blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nordlund misses with the head strike.
McCullough tries for a takedown but Nordlund manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sherman McCullough. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nordlund gets underhooks to prevent McCullough's takedown attempt.

Nordlund manages to break the clinch.
Nordlund is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nordlund looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Nordlund clinches up with McCullough and pushes him back against the cage.

Nordlund escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McCullough avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nordlund tries to clinch there but McCullough circles away.
Nordlund tries to clinch but McCullough moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nordlund looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nordlund tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nordlund tries to clinch there but McCullough circles away.
McCullough looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

McCullough shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McCullough showed some decent athleticism there.
McCullough is taking a breather. Nordlund says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Nordlund tries to kick McCullough off but McCullough keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
McCullough wants to control but Nordlund is keeping him busy.

Nordlund manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. McCullough keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCullough is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nordlund pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nordlund tries a body shot but McCullough blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Nordlund fails to land.
Nordlund tries a knee to the head but McCullough blocks it.
McCullough blocks an uppercut.
McCullough blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nordlund gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McCullough.
Nordlund misses with a punch on the inside.
David Nordlund seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
McCullough works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
McCullough jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nordlund walks away with a smile on his face. McCullough gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McCullough darts in and clinches Nordlund up against the cage.
McCullough tries for a takedown. No joy.
David Nordlund has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sherman McCullough is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

McCullough breaks the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to David Nordlund.
I think McCullough 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sherman McCullough!
The defeated David Nordlund had this to say: 'He was better today but I will come back even stronger!'.