PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Luciano Almeida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reece Mclaren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luciano Almeida has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Almeida
vs
Mclaren

190 cm
20
137 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

169 cm
25
140 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Luciano Almeida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Reece Mclaren!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mclaren throws a right and a left that Almeida avoids nicely.
Mclaren misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It looked like Almeida was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Mclaren throws a right hand that Almeida ducks under and follows up with a left that Almeida also avoids with ease.
Mclaren throws a right hand that Almeida ducks under and follows up with a left that Almeida also avoids with ease.
Almeida seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Mclaren throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Almeida.
Reece Mclaren seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Almeida fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A left and a right from Mclaren both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Luciano Almeida has been cut.
Almeida showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mclaren.
Mclaren misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mclaren misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
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!
Mclaren misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mclaren misses with a wild combination.
A punch combination from Mclaren misses.
Mclaren throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Almeida.
Almeida dodges the punch combination from Mclaren.
Mclaren misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mclaren looks winded!
Mclaren throws a series of punches but Almeida avoids them all with ease.
Mclaren misses with a double jab.
No joy there for Mclaren, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Almeida changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Almeida dives in and scores a takedown into Mclaren's guard.
Almeida won't allow Mclaren to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Almeida tries to free his leg and advance position but Mclaren is retaining full guard.
Mclaren keeping moving, preventing Almeida from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mclaren is looking to stand up but Almeida isn't so interested in that idea.
Almeida trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mclaren can do anything to dispel that myth.
Almeida trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mclaren pushes Almeida off and gets back to his feet.
A combination from Mclaren does no damage.
Mclaren throws a nice looking combination but Almeida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mclaren misses with a two punch combination.
Almeida tries to counter with a takedown but Mclaren is quick to defend against it.
Mclaren misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mclaren misses with a jab, cross combination.
Almeida is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Almeida slips a jab and a cross from Mclaren.
Mclaren throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Almeida.

Almeida manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mclaren on his heels. He'll look to pass Mclaren's guard now, I'm sure.
Almeida with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mclaren really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Almeida. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Almeida showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Almeida working some strikes from top position.
Mclaren keeping moving, preventing Almeida from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mclaren is looking to stand up but Almeida isn't so interested in that idea.
Almeida pushes down on Mclaren's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mclaren tries to kick Almeida off but Almeida keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Almeida is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mclaren has managed to free his arm - good work.
Almeida landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Almeida has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Mclaren is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Almeida jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Mclaren manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Mclaren throws Almeida to one side and escapes!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reece Mclaren dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Luciano Almeida's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Mclaren lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mclaren.
Mclaren lands a two punch combo.

Almeida is rocked!

Almeida closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mclaren's guard.
Mclaren wants to stand and escape but Almeida is having none of it.
Almeida distracts Mclaren with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Mclaren has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Almeida off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mclaren lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Almeida circles away quickly and effectively.
As Mclaren looks to move away, Almeida throws a big counter combo but Mclaren just gets out of the way.
Mclaren throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Reece Mclaren seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mclaren misses with a double jab.
Mclaren pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Almeida back to the cage. Mclaren follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mclaren fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Mclaren. Those never looked like landing.
Mclaren is breathing heavily.
Mclaren misses with a few strikes there.
It looked like Almeida was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Mclaren.
Almeida shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mclaren pinned against the cage. Mclaren gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Almeida shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mclaren but Mclaren pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mclaren misses with a series of wild punches.
Mclaren looks to land a combination but Almeida avoids it well.
A punch combination from Mclaren misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Almeida is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mclaren sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luciano Almeida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mclaren misses with a double jab.
Mclaren throws a nice looking combination but Almeida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mclaren tries to bum rush Almeida with a series of wild strikes but Almeida uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Almeida looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mclaren is looking to stand back up but Almeida counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Mclaren.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Almeida is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Mclaren wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mclaren is refusing to be controlled, as Almeida sits in half guard.
Almeida has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mclaren is trying to stand back up but Almeida is controlling him

Mclaren kicks off Almeida and gets to his feet.
Mclaren pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Almeida back to the cage. Mclaren follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mclaren misses with a series of wild punches.
Almeida looks for a takedown but Mclaren sprawls well.
Mclaren misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mclaren lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mclaren.
Mclaren throws a right hand that Almeida ducks under and follows up with a left that Almeida also avoids with ease.
Almeida fails with a takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mclaren misses with the combination.
Almeida feinted with a counter takedown.
Almeida has a takedown stuffed.
Mclaren throws a series of strikes that have Almeida backpedaling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reece Mclaren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Luciano Almeida's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A punch combination from Mclaren misses.

Almeida dives in and scores a takedown into Mclaren's guard.

Mclaren manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Almeida really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Almeida can't get the takedown.
Almeida drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mclaren gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mclaren tries to break free but Almeida pushes him back against the cage.
Mclaren can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Almeida keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mclaren's efforts to push away.
Almeida looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luciano Almeida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mclaren looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almeida has Mclaren pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mclaren manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Almeida wants a takedown.
Almeida wants a takedown.
Almeida keeps control of Mclaren as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Almeida has Mclaren pressed against the cage, preventing Mclaren from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mclaren wants to break the clinch but can't.
Almeida has Mclaren pressed against the cage, preventing Mclaren from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mclaren tries to break free but Almeida pushes him back against the cage.
Mclaren can't break the clinch.
Mclaren managing to block the knees to the body from Almeida.
Almeida is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mclaren pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mclaren wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mclaren is trying to push Almeida away but Almeida has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two 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.
Mclaren is trying to break the clinch but Almeida is controlling him.
Almeida prevents Mclaren from breaking the clinch.
Almeida prevents Mclaren from breaking the clinch.
Almeida is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Almeida changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mclaren fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mclaren has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mclaren throws a combination. Almeida tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Danga de danga de dang - Mclaren scores with a four punch combination!
Oh Almeida is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Luciano Almeida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mclaren fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Almeida seems to have got his legs back now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mclaren throws a series of punches but Almeida moves out of range.
Almeida has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mclaren throws a series of punches but Almeida moves out of range.
Mclaren throws a left and a right that both miss
and Almeida counters with a one-two to the body.
Mclaren will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Almeida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mclaren throws a right and a left that both miss.
Almeida attempts a counter takedown but Mclaren avoids it well and moves away.
Some wild striking there from Mclaren.
Mclaren misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mclaren defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Almeida.
Mclaren misses with a wild combination.
It looked like Almeida was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mclaren throws a nice looking combination but Almeida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Almeida throws a big counter combination but Mclaren scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Mclaren circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mclaren fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Almeida shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mclaren but Mclaren pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mclaren!

And that's the end of the fight!
Reece Mclaren comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mclaren 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reece Mclaren!
Reece Mclaren decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.