PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Andy Mcnab (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kusal Church (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Mcnab
vs
Church

165 cm
18
160 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

172 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Andy Mcnab!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kusal Church!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Phil Schofield and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Church closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Church lands in his opponent's guard.
Church stops Mcnab from standing up.
Church trying to control but Mcnab is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Church tries to free his leg and advance position but Mcnab is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Church trying to control but Mcnab is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Church throws a right hand that Mcnab ducks under and follows up with a left that Mcnab also avoids with ease.
As Church looks to move away, Mcnab throws a big counter combo but Church just gets out of the way.
Mcnab looks to land a combination but Church avoids it well.
Church shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Church looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mcnab is fending him off so far but Church persists. Nope, Mcnab circles away and we're back to standing.
Church throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A jab from Mcnab does it's job there.
Mcnab tries to clinch there but Church circles away.
Mcnab looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Church slips a jab and a cross from Mcnab.
Church takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcnab fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Church looks for a takedown but Mcnab sprawls well.
Andy Mcnab has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kusal Church.
Mcnab tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Church manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mcnab moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromChurch.
Church avoids a punch combination nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mcnab is defended easily by Church.
Church misses with a body shot.

Church shoots in and gets a takedown into Mcnab's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Church postures up in Mcnab's guard and throws a big left but Mcnab blocks it.
Church trying to control but Mcnab is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcnab pulls Church in close to prevent any damage.
Church content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Church advances to half guard.
Mcnab wants to improve his position but Church is controlling well.

Church is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mcnab sees it coming and defends easily.

Church is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four 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.
Mcnab avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Church.
Church throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mcnab won't allow Church to pass to mount.

Church decides to stand and escape the position.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mcnab cracks Church with a nice body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Church decides to pull guard.
Church looking for a sweep. Not yet Church, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kusal Church dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Church showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mcnab.
Mcnab throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Church clinches with his opponent.
Church is trying to pull guard but Mcnab has him pressed against the cage.

Church works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Church postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mcnab keeping moving, preventing Church from controlling successfully.
Church is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Church looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Church trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcnab is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Church looking to pass the guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Mcnab keeping moving, preventing Church from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mcnab throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mcnab fails to land the takedown.
Church throws a predictable looking body shot
and Mcnab counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Church fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mcnab, pushing him back against the cage.
Mcnab is trying to pull guard but Church has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcnab working hard to break the clinch.

Church's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mcnab lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Mcnab lands with a good body shot.

Church closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mcnab to the mat! Mcnab manages to get full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Church wants to pass the guard but Mcnab is keeping the position.
Church is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Church gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mcnab looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mcnab defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Church.
Mcnab misses with a jab, cross combination.
Church throws a sloppy head kick
and Mcnab counters with a right hand to the body.
Andy Mcnab seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Church closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Mcnab quickly recovers to half guard.
Church trying to control the action but Mcnab is working from the bottom.

Church is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mcnab keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mcnab pushes Church off looking to stand but Church dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcnab is not content to let Church control the position.
Church tries to pass to full mount but Mcnab defends it.
Mcnab wants to control but Church is keeping busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No luck for Church with that takedown attempt.
Andy Mcnab has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kusal Church.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mcnab tries a head kick but it misses.
Church fails to land the takedown.
Andy Mcnab is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mcnab misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
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 Andy Mcnab will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Mcnab tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Church paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mcnab shoots in for a takedown but Church shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Church is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mcnab sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mcnab appears to be looking for a big counter.
Andy Mcnab is winning the standup battle so far.
Church wants to clinch up but Mcnab keeps it at a distance.
Mcnab connects with a good right hand that stumbles Church. Church circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Church slips a jab and a cross from Mcnab.
Mcnab takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mcnab rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Church moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mcnab.
Mcnab tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcnab shoots in for a double leg but Church sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mcnab misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Church throws a body shot but no joy.
Mcnab throws a big counter combination but Church scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Mcnab moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Mcnab.

Church changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mcnab looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kusal Church has got the better of the ground game so far.

Church decides to stand back up. Church steps back and let's Mcnab get back to his feet.
Church looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mcnab looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Church throws a head kick that misses.

Church shoots in and bounces Mcnab off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mcnab keeping moving, preventing Church from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Church looking to sit in guard and control but Mcnab gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Church controls Mcnab momentarily but Mcnab frees himself.
Mcnab trying to stand up but can't free himself from Church's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Church is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Mcnab works over Church with some ground and pound from guard.
Church is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mcnab is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four 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.

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

Church is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mcnab defends well.
Church controls Mcnab momentarily but Mcnab frees himself.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Church is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Mcnab showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mcnab 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Andy Mcnab!
A relieved looking Andy Mcnab thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.