PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pave Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory McDonnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McDonnell comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Bloc Party - Ares (Remix) kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hunt
vs
McDonnell

188 cm
21
190 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

183 cm
19
185 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
KnockOut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pave Hunt!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rory McDonnell!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonnell will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hunt misses with a lunging right hand
and McDonnell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McDonnell slips a straight right by Hunt.

McDonnell has Hunt up against the cage in a clinch.
I was talking to Hunt's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
McDonnell throws a head punch that misses.
McDonnell misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hunt takes a shot to the head.
Hunt's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hunt lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunt misses with a body punch.

McDonnell gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Hunt wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonnell keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonnell wants to take a breather but Hunt is having none of it.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
McDonnell landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
McDonnell trying to control the action but Hunt is working from the bottom.
Hunt is doing well to control the position and prevent McDonnell from advancing to side control.
Hunt is trying to get back to full guard.
McDonnell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hunt does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

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.
Hunt trying to hold on to McDonnell's head to control him but McDonnell postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hunt fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A little jabbing left from McDonnell on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
The fighters circling - Hunt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McDonnell tries a quick counter leg kick but Hunt is wise to it.
Hunt looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
McDonnell changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hunt misses with a low kick.

McDonnell closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hunt fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Hunt.
McDonnell lands with a left to the head.
McDonnell tries to work over Hunt's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hunt swings wildly with an uppercut but McDonnell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hunt lands a right hand that snaps the head of McDonnell backwards.
Hunt presses McDonnell against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

McDonnell has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Hunt clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
McDonnell slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

Hunt 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 McDonnell gets his way!
Hunt is trying to stand back up.
McDonnell biding his time, controlling Hunt.
Hunt tries to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McDonnell looking for the RNC.
McDonnell gets his hands free as Hunt looks to control.

McDonnell goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Hunt escapes and is now in half guard on top.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McDonnell is looking to improve his position.
McDonnell is trying to stand.
Hunt slows the pace down in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rory McDonnell will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hunt finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hunt has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Hunt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McDonnell feints a counter leg kick.
Hunt scores with a shot to the body.
Hunt avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hunt throws a lazy right hand but McDonnell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McDonnell was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hunt crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from McDonnell - the referee stops the clock and Hunt gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says McDonnell. Hunt manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Hunt walks into a jab.
Hunt looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McDonnell throws a jab but it's blocked by Hunt.
Hunt swings and misses with a shot to the body

and McDonnell counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hunt!
McDonnell tries to advance to mount but can't.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McDonnell tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonnell is looking to take a break and control but Hunt is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hunt is looking to reverse the position.
McDonnell trying to control the action but Hunt is working from the bottom.
Rory McDonnell has got the better of the ground game so far.

McDonnell decides to stand back up.
Hunt misses with a kick to the body

and McDonnell counters with a single leg into guard. Hunt didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McDonnell.
Hunt working a defensive guard here.

McDonnell decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
McDonnell checks a low kick from Hunt.
Pave Hunt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hunt throws a solid leg kick but McDonnell takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hunt.
McDonnell steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Hunt checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hunt throws the kick towards the body but McDonnell avoids it.
McDonnell misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hunt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McDonnell circles away quickly and effectively.
Hunt connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between McDonnell's hands.
Hunt throws a leg kick
and McDonnell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pave Hunt is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt misses with a body kick.
McDonnell steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hunt. That one must have hurt.
Hunt looks for the body kick but McDonnell saw that one coming.
McDonnell goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hunt.
Hunt throws a low kick but McDonnell moves out of range easily.
Hunt tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hunt is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McDonnell on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hunt. Hunt obviously looking to wear him down.
McDonnell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hunt throws out the jab.
McDonnell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hunt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from McDonnell misses.
Hunt tries to clinch up but McDonnell circles away and keeps his distance.

Hunt moves into range and clinches up with McDonnell.
McDonnell lands a right hand.
McDonnell has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hunt seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if McDonnell can turn it around.
Hunt lands a left hand that snaps the head of McDonnell backwards.

McDonnell breaks from the clinch.
Hunt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McDonnell.
McDonnell looks like he wants to counter punch here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No joy there for Hunt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McDonnell thinks about the counter body kick.
McDonnell throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
McDonnell pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hunt is out of range and McDonnell settles back down.
Hunt fakes a jab and throws a low kick but McDonnell checks it well.
A lazy body kick from Hunt
and McDonnell counters with a nice kick to the body.
Hunt throws a leg kick which misses McDonnell's front leg but catches the back leg as McDonnell tries to avoid it.

McDonnell gets a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rory McDonnell will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McDonnell misses with a looping left.
A head kick by Hunt misses
and McDonnell counters with a straight right hand.
Hunt looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hunt backing away here, and McDonnell unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
McDonnell throws a wild body kick that Hunt sees coming a mile off.
As McDonnell tries to get set, Hunt tries to push him back and clinch up but McDonnell manages to avoid the attempt.
McDonnell connects with a single shot there.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McDonnell.
McDonnell paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hunt misses with a leg kick.
Hunt has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by McDonnell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonnell defending well as Hunt loads up on a big left hand.
McDonnell swinging wildly here.
Hunt throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt looks to land a left hand but McDonnell moved out of range nicely.
McDonnell tries a quick counter leg kick but Hunt is wise to it.
Hunt slips under a jab from McDonnell.
Hunt lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hunt scores with a nice right hand.
McDonnell on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hunt with a hook.
McDonnell paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A jab from Hunt misses.
Hunt scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hunt throws a lazy uppercut
and McDonnell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McDonnell throws a half hearted mid kick.
McDonnell thows a left - swing and a miss!
A low kick from Hunt is predictable there
and McDonnell counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonnell has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hunt.
Hunt misses with a right hand
and McDonnell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McDonnell misses with a low kick.
Hunt takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A good leg kick by McDonnell.
Hunt wants to clinch.
McDonnell only half commits to the counter leg kick.
McDonnell tries to land a leg kick but Hunt saw it coming and moves away.
Hunt bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of McDonnell's head.
Hunt feints and then cracks McDonnell's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McDonnell down.
Hunt lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell tries to work over Hunt's front leg with a kick but Hunt checks it.
Hunt drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A jab from McDonnell misses.
Hunt listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hunt misses with a hook
and Hunt takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McDonnell moves out of range of the body kick from Hunt.
A left lands for Hunt.
Hunt connects with a leg kick. McDonnell looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A left lands for Hunt.
Hunt swings for the body but McDonnell moves out of range.
And McDonnell tries to counter it with a takedown but Hunt pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hunt lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hunt slips under a jab from McDonnell.
McDonnell is looking to chop away at Hunt's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt swings for the body but McDonnell moves out of range.
McDonnell throws out a counter right but Hunt avoids it with no problem.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonnell drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
McDonnell shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
McDonnell throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hunt does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
McDonnell follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Good work by Hunt as he checks the leg kick.
Hunt wants to clinch up but McDonnell keeps it at a distance.
McDonnell takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hunt fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McDonnell manages to avoid it.
Hunt throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Hunt looks to land a body kick but McDonnell moved away.
McDonnell slips a jab from Hunt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Pave Hunt did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McDonnell scores with a jab to the head.
McDonnell throws a right hand that Hunt ducks under and follows up with a left that Hunt also avoids with ease.
Hunt seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hunt walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McDonnell checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
McDonnell lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McDonnell fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McDonnell misses with a low kick.
Hunt throws the kick towards the body but McDonnell avoids it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hunt crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from McDonnell - the referee stops the clock and Hunt gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says McDonnell. Hunt manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Hunt fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunt shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hunt takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hunt misses with an attempted mid kick.
McDonnell unleashes a big counter combination but Hunt bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
McDonnell cracks the inside of Hunt's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from McDonnell.
That kick from Hunt tenderised McDonnell's leg. McDonnell is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hunt moves out of range of the body kick from McDonnell.
Hunt throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hunt goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
McDonnell replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Hunt blocks it well.
Nice defenses there by McDonnell.
McDonnell slips a straight right by Hunt.
Hunt misses with an attempted mid kick.
McDonnell blocks the body kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McDonnell! But no joy.
A low kick from Hunt is predictable there
and McDonnell counters with a body kick that stops Hunt in his tracks momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A swing and a miss from Hunt.
Hunt cracks McDonnell with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McDonnell.
Hunt tries to clinch but McDonnell moves away
and McDonnell counters with a good low kick that Hunt was not able to check.
Crunch! Hunt slams his shin into McDonnell's torso.
McDonnell pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hunt looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Hunt punishes McDonnell's body with a nice straight punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hunt walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hunt on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hunt throws a leg kick
and McDonnell counters with a nice uppercut.
Hunt missing with a left hand there. McDonnell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McDonnell.
A little jabbing left from McDonnell on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hunt misses with a head kick.
McDonnell only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Hunt is looking to clinch but McDonnell is avoiding it.
McDonnell fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hunt is out of range.
McDonnell moves out of range as Hunt strikes.
Pave Hunt is winning the standup battle so far.
McDonnell takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McDonnell tries to land a front kick but Hunt steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hunt doesn't manage to clinch there - McDonnell circles away.
Hunt tries a head kick but it misses.
McDonnell explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A chopping leg kick lands by McDonnell.
Hunt scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt tries to land a front kick but McDonnell steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McDonnell connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
McDonnell delivers a nice body kick.
Hunt checks a leg kick.
McDonnell looks to throw the jab but Hunt is out of range.
Hunt fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
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!
Hunt misses with a wild body shot.
Hunt scores with a nice body kick.
Hunt throws a nice head kick!
Hunt is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
McDonnell looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

McDonnell is rocked!
McDonnell staying out of range there.
McDonnell is still on wobbly legs! Can Hunt finish him?
A looping hook to the body misses from Hunt. McDonnell does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Rory McDonnell will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Hunt's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

McDonnell avoids the body shot from Hunt.
McDonnell seems to have recovered his senses.
McDonnell scores with a nice right hand.
McDonnell tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hunt prevents a body shot from McDonnell.
McDonnell is trying to stall.
McDonnell has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Hunt.
Hunt tries to throw a body punch but McDonnell avoids it by throwing Hunt back against the cage.
Hunt misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot in the inside from Hunt.
Hunt's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hunt misses with a hook from the clinch.
McDonnell lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonnell working aggressively here.

McDonnell pulls guard effortlessly.
Hunt tries to free his leg and advance position but McDonnell is retaining full guard.

McDonnell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hunt defends it easily.
McDonnell being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonnell wants to control the position but Hunt says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
McDonnell wants to sweep but no luck.
Hunt engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hunt wants to get up but he can't break McDonnell's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
McDonnell wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Hunt is now in half guard.
McDonnell is trying to control but can't.
Hunt takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Hunt passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell is working to get back to half guard.
Hunt looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hunt has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
McDonnell manages to regain half guard. Good work.

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.
McDonnell looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hunt content to control rather than advance.
McDonnell is trying to maintain the position but Hunt is very close to passing his half guard.
Hunt content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McDonnell moves into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Pave Hunt.
I think McDonnell has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight for Rory McDonnell!

The fight ends as a draw!
Pave Hunt retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!