PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Moises Dickens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Dickens
vs
McDonald

170 cm
18
144 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Moises Dickens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack McDonald!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Eddie Farnsworth and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dickens shoots and misses
and McDonald connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

McDonald gets caught flat footed, as Dickens shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Dickens postures up in McDonald's guard and throws a big left but McDonald blocks it.
Dickens stopping the sweep attempt from McDonald.
McDonald is still trying to improve position.
Dickens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dickens is working McDonald over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dickens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McDonald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dickens sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dickens lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McDonald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dickens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dickens lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Dickens is looking to work some ground and pound but McDonald has wrist control.
McDonald being controlled here, momentarily.
Dickens working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dickens stopping the sweep attempt from McDonald.
Dickens is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Dickens throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Dickens throws a big elbow that misses.
Dickens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dickens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dickens works over McDonald with some ground and pound from guard.
Dickens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dickens 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.
Dickens keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McDonald's head.
McDonald avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dickens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McDonald keeping full guard, as Dickens tries to pass.
Dickens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dickens controls from within his opponent's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
McDonald is trying to control the position but Dickens postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
McDonald connects with a body shot.
McDonald misses with a hook.
McDonald throws a shot to the body.
McDonald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McDonald clobbers Dickens with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
McDonald connects with a nice looking jab.
McDonald digs a good body shot into Dickens's ribs.
McDonald ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dickens moves away.
Dickens throws a sloppy head kick and McDonald moves out of range easily.
McDonald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throws a shot to the body.
McDonald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dickens.
Dickens throws a right and a left that McDonald avoids nicely.
McDonald throws a body shot but no joy.
McDonald jabs Dickens to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dickens throws an off balance right hand
and McDonald counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Dickens thinking.
McDonald lands a right hook to the body.
Some wild striking there from Dickens.
Nice sprawl there from McDonald as Dickens shoots in.
Dickens is breathing heavily.
McDonald throws a body punch but Dickens moves out of range.
McDonald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dickens manages to avoid it.
Dickens closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
McDonald takes a swing at Dickens's ribcage but misses.
Dickens shoots in but no luck this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jack McDonald will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dickens lands a body shot.
McDonald on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Dickens tries a head kick but it misses.
McDonald lands a body shot.

Dickens clinches up with McDonald and pushes him back against the cage.
McDonald is trying to break free.
Dickens goes for a takedown in the clinch but McDonald prevents it.
Dickens is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dickens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jack McDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dickens tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McDonald paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sloppy strikes from McDonald. Those never looked like landing.
McDonald fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Dickens on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dickens at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McDonald thuds a left hand into Dickens's body.
Dickens throws an overhand right that lands on McDonald's shoulder, as McDonald tries to avoid the shot.
McDonald throws a body shot but no joy.
McDonald lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dickens circles away quickly and effectively.
McDonald swats away the attempt to clinch by Dickens.
Dickens has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Moises Dickens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald thuds a left hand into Dickens's body.
McDonald misses the shot to the body.
Jack McDonald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dickens takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McDonald has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dickens shoots for a takedown but McDonald saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McDonald lands a jab to Dickens's midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands with a shot to the body.
Dickens moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McDonald connects with a body shot.
Jack McDonald seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McDonald throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
McDonald scores with a jab to the body.
McDonald pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Dickens back to the cage. McDonald follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Dickens walks into a stiff left hand from McDonald.
McDonald lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
McDonald throws a nice looking combination but Dickens bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
It looked like Dickens was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from McDonald.
Dickens takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
McDonald dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A shot to the liver by McDonald. Beautiful body shot.
McDonald changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
McDonald has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
McDonald lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dickens at a distance.
McDonald fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dickens on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A cross from McDonald lands.
Nice uppercut there from McDonald.
McDonald works Dickens's body with a nice hook.
McDonald throws out a powerful jab.
McDonald lands a nice hook to Dickens's body. Dickens takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McDonald scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Dickens doesn't seem bothered though.
McDonald misses with a wild combination.
McDonald scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
McDonald fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McDonald is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Dickens rather than just go for the knockout.
McDonald throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McDonald digs a good body shot into Dickens's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald cracks a nice hook into Dickens's ribs.
Dickens closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
McDonald ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Dickens with a poor takedown
enabling McDonald to counter with a crisp jab.
Dickens takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McDonald lands a right hook to the body.
McDonald cracks a nice hook into Dickens's ribs.
McDonald lands a slapping body shot.
Dickens takes a body punch but keeps moving.
McDonald throws a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDonald fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Dickens looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
McDonald fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Dickens looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
McDonald throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dickens.
McDonald digs a good hook to Dickens's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack McDonald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

McDonald scores with a shot to the body.
A left and a right from Dickens both land. Nice combination.
McDonald looks to score with a jab to the body but Dickens is just out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dickens looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McDonald appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
McDonald throws a sloppy body shot
and Dickens counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McDonald bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McDonald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dickens was well out of range. Poor timing from McDonald.
McDonald lands with a nice body punch.
Dickens shoots in looking for a takedown. McDonald tries to sprawl out of it but Dickens keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McDonald manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald swings for the body but Dickens moves out of range.
The crowd cheers as McDonald lands an impressive looking overhand right. Dickens doesn't seem phased though.
Moises Dickens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McDonald lands with a shot to the body.
McDonald lands a body shot.
Dickens closes the distance and clinches up with McDonald, looking for a takedown. Dickens pushes McDonald against the cage but McDonald circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dickens avoids a punch combination nicely.
McDonald lands a nice looking body shot.
Dickens swings for the body but McDonald moves out of range.
McDonald looks to land a combination but Dickens avoids it well.
McDonald jabs Dickens to the body, keeping him at a distance.
McDonald just misses with a punch to the body.
Dickens throws a jab but it's blocked by McDonald.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dickens at a distance.
McDonald slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dickens takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Dickens misses with a telegraphed body shot
and McDonald counters with a straight right hand.
Dickens takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McDonald lands a lovely overhand right.
Dickens looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
McDonald throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Moises Dickens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McDonald scores with a body shot.
McDonald stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Moises Dickens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald scores with a body shot.
McDonald with a body punch. A glancing blow.
McDonald scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
McDonald jabs Dickens to the body, keeping him at a distance.
McDonald stuns Dickens with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dickens on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Dickens doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McDonald fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A nice combination there by McDonald.
McDonald lands a nice shot to the body.
McDonald fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice body punch from McDonald.
Nice straight punches there by McDonald. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of McDonald.
McDonald connects with a body shot.
Dickens's hands are dropping dangerously low here and McDonald connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Dickens scrambles back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonald dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McDonald lands a really nice looking cross but Dickens seems unphased.
McDonald with a jab.
McDonald fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Dickens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McDonald comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McDonald moves into range and connects with a jab.
McDonald punishes Dickens's body with a nice straight punch.
McDonald throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Dickens stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dickens on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dickens takes a shot right to the bread basket.
McDonald fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
McDonald changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDonald scores with a hook to the body. Dickens takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
McDonald lands a slapping body shot.
Jack McDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McDonald bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Dickens's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack McDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McDonald winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Roberts scores the fight for Jack McDonald!
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight for Jack McDonald!
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight for Jack McDonald!

Jack McDonald wins by unanimous decision!
In his post fight interview, Jack McDonald started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.