PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gareth McCall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esteban Scott (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCall comes into the arena with Bobby Darin - Mack The Knife blaring out of the sound system. Scott is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Scotty Doesn't Know. Gareth McCall could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Esteban Scott's chin.

McCall
vs
Scott

185 cm
38
195 lbs
26 - 20 - 0

188 cm
35
195 lbs
16 - 11 - 2

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 20 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gareth McCall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Esteban Scott!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCall throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Scott on the side of the head.
A punch lands to the side of Scott 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Decent striking displayed by Scott there.
McCall is looking to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Scott. McCall does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCall tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Scott manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McCall keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It looked like McCall wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
McCall tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Scott shoots in but McCall avoids the takedown attempt easily.
It looked like McCall was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Scott.
Scott misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McCall.
Scott fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gareth McCall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esteban Scott.
Scott checks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCall looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McCall throws a nice inside leg kick.
Scott scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Scott with a poor takedown
and McCall counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Scott throws a jab but it's blocked by McCall.
Scott tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Scott.
McCall looks to score with a jab to the body but Scott is just out of range.
And Scott tries to counter it with a takedown but McCall pushes his down on his head and steps out.
McCall throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCall tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Scott throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCall connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Scott's hands.
Scott shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McCall pinned against the cage. McCall gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Scott fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Scott misses with a straight left.
Scott fails to land the takedown.
McCall was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McCall throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scott dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Scott shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McCall as he jumps to the side.
A big right from McCall misses.
McCall tries to close the distance and clinch up but Scott swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Scott swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Scott avoids a punch combination nicely.
Scott avoids the head kick by McCall.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Scott misses with a low kick.
McCall moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gareth McCall is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Scott tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McCall smiles and moves away.
Scott smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scott slips a jab from McCall.
Scott misses with a wild body shot.
No joy there for Scott, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Scott throws a body shot but no joy.
Scott looks to score with a jab to the body but McCall is just out of range.
McCall staying out of range there.
Scott lands with a right hand.
Scott scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Esteban Scott seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCall displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Scott throws out the jab.

Scott gets a double leg takedown into McCall's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
McCall controlling the position.
Scott pushes down on McCall's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Scott is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McCall is just riding it out for now. Scott eventually gives up the hold.
McCall trying to hold on to Scott's head to control him but Scott postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCall is defending against the submission attempts here by Scott.
Scott wants to free his trapped foot but McCall is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Scott is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McCall has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Esteban Scott will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McCall scores with a head kick. Scott tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
McCall tries to clinch up but Scott circles away and keeps his distance.
McCall scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Scott shoots in but no luck this time.

Scott scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
McCall is staying active underneath Scott, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Scott is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
McCall won't allow Scott to pass to mount.

Scott is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McCall has managed to free his arm - good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCall trying to control here.

Scott is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McCall doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Scott.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Scott is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McCall is just riding it out for now. Scott eventually gives up the hold.

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

Scott is looking for a kimura but McCall is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Scott to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Scott is looking for a kimura here.

Scott is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McCall defends it well.

Scott is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
McCall slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Scott drops back looking for a leg! McCall is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and McCall manages to kick Scott off! Scott jumps back into McCall's guard.
McCall looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
McCall keeping moving, preventing Scott from controlling successfully.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Some bone on bone action there as Scott checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Gareth McCall is winning the standup battle so far.
McCall tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McCall connects with a crisp jab.
Scott fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but McCall is out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Scott.
McCall throws a head kick but Scott moves out of range.
Scott lands a slapping body shot.
McCall moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Scott takes a shot right to the bread basket.
McCall throws a head kick but Scott moves out of range.
McCall stuffs the takedown.
Gareth McCall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esteban Scott.
Good standup being displayed there by Scott as he connects with a hook.
Scott throws a leg kick but McCall checks it.
Scott looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Scott misses with a body shot.
A jab from McCall misses.
Scott closes the distance and clinches up with McCall, looking for a takedown. Scott pushes McCall against the cage but McCall circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McCall fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Esteban Scott will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Scott motions for McCall to come forward. Scott throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Scott misses with a takedown attempt - McCall sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McCall throws a head kick that half lands.
Scott misses with a body kick.
McCall misses with a body kick.

McCall fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Scott, pushing him back against the cage.
McCall trying to land knees to the body.

Scott breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McCall uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Scott.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCall looks for the body kick but Scott saw that one coming.
Scott misses with a wild body shot.
McCall fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Scott manages to avoid it.
McCall scores with a punch to the head.
McCall lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Scott misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall misses with an attempted mid kick.
McCall ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Scott moves away.
Scott throws a combination. McCall tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Scott avoids the body shot from McCall.
Scott ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCall moves away.
McCall checks a leg kick nicely.
Scott throws the left hand but McCall avoids the punch easily.
A big right from Scott misses.
Scott throws a hook to the side of McCall's head but McCall sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McCall throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good standup being displayed there by McCall as he connects with a hook.
Scott tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McCall doesn't manage to clinch there - Scott circles away.
Scott connects with a nice looking jab.
A head kick misses from McCall.
Nice shot lands for McCall.
Esteban Scott is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An inside leg kick from Scott misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Scott. McCall does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCall throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCall tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Scott with the counter takedown but McCall avoids it easily.
McCall waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Scott.
McCall is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Scott.
Scott looks to land a left hand but McCall moved out of range nicely.
Scott connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between McCall's hands.
Scott connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
McCall throws out a loose jab but Scott uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gareth McCall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters circling - Scott throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A head kick misses from McCall.

Scott drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
McCall being controlled here, momentarily.
McCall keeping moving, preventing Scott from controlling successfully.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Scott working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scott preventing the sweep.
Scott wants to control from the top but McCall keeps moving.
McCall trying to keep a closed guard but Scott is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Scott looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Scott wants to control from the top but McCall keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

McCall gets caught napping as Scott dives in and scores a takedown. McCall manages to retain guard.

McCall is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McCall.
McCall lands a nice elbow.
Scott jumps guard but McCall stands there with Scott around his waist. Scott gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
McCall scores with a nice hook to the head.

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 Gareth McCall.
I think Scott 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

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