PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alex Macdonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruno Helio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bruno Helio looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Macdonald
vs
Helio

158 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
24
185 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alex Macdonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bruno Helio!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Alexandre Firmino and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Helio falls off balance throwing a combination
and Macdonald counters with a series of strikes. Helio will be more careful next time no doubt.
Helio shoots and misses

and Macdonald counters by moving into the clinch.
Helio looks winded!
Helio tries to pull guard but Macdonald won't allow it.

Macdonald has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Helio is trying to keep an underhook but Macdonald manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Macdonald in particular looking to stall.
Macdonald looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Macdonald looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Macdonald landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Macdonald seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Macdonald content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macdonald has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Macdonald really is a fat lump.
Macdonald's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Macdonald lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Macdonald is looking for a kimura but Helio is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Macdonald to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Macdonald thows a huge punch but Helio dodges it nicely.
Macdonald seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Macdonald keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

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.
Macdonald thows a huge punch but Helio dodges it nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Macdonald tries to bum rush Helio with a series of wild strikes but Helio uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Helio tries for a takedown but Macdonald circles away easily
and Macdonald counters with a one-two to the body.
Alex Macdonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruno Helio.

Helio moves into the clinch.
Macdonald gets through Helio's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Helio is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A bit of stalling here from Macdonald.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald tries to score a body lock takedown but Helio shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Macdonald scores with a shot to the side of Helio's head.
Macdonald is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Helio is trying to break the clinch but Macdonald has him pressed against the cage.
Macdonald goes for a takedown in the clinch but Helio prevents it.
Macdonald is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Macdonald stalls.
Macdonald lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Macdonald is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Helio is keeping busy.
Macdonald has Helio pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Alex Macdonald.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Helio.
Macdonald appears to be looking for a big counter.
Macdonald tries to score a power double leg takedown but Helio sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Macdonald somewhat.
Macdonald misses with a double jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Helio.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Macdonald dominated that round.
That's time! Macdonald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Macdonald closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Macdonald gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Macdonald is stalling in the full guard.
Macdonald is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Macdonald is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Macdonald cracks Helio with a solid left hand.
Helio is breathing heavily.
Macdonald with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macdonald makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Macdonald controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Macdonald working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Macdonald controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Macdonald looks to score with a jab to the body but Helio is just out of range.

Macdonald looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Helio!
Macdonald wants to control but Helio is keeping him busy.
Macdonald is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Helio can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald cracks Helio with a big right hand but Helio just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Macdonald is staying tight to Helio's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Helio is trying to get back to half guard.
Helio managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Macdonald.

Macdonald wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Helio, who protects the arm well.
Helio is being controlled here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald landing strikes.

Macdonald thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Helio struggling a bit here.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Macdonald lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Helio down.
Macdonald postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Helio is letting Macdonald control him for a moment.
Macdonald working the head and body with strikes.

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.
Macdonald laying and praying for a moment but Helio takes advantage and regains half guard.
Macdonald drops an elbow to the side of Helio's head.
Macdonald sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Helio defending well though.
Helio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Macdonald.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Macdonald shoots in for a takedown but Helio shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Helio drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Macdonald defends it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Macdonald throws a sloppy head kick and Helio moves out of range easily.
Helio fails with the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Macdonald dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Macdonald closes the distance and clinches.

Macdonald is trying to trip Helio. He has hold of a leg but Helio is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Macdonald persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Macdonald might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Macdonald sitting in guard here, content to control.
Macdonald is looking to stand up but Helio won't let him.
Helio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Macdonald preventing the sweep.
Macdonald trying to stand up but can't free himself from Helio's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macdonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Macdonald slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Macdonald throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Helio counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Macdonald manages to get to full guard.
Macdonald wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Macdonald.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helio looking to sit in guard and control but Macdonald gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Macdonald sitting in guard here, content to control.
Macdonald working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Macdonald loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Macdonald is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Macdonald continues to hold on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald tries to stand but Helio is controlling from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Macdonald content to stall in guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Helio shoots in but Macdonald avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Helio fails with the takedown
and Macdonald counters with a series of strikes. Helio will be more careful next time no doubt.
Macdonald shoots for a takedown but Helio saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Macdonald moves into the clinch.

Macdonald manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Helio lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Macdonald looking to control.
Helio throwing strikes but missing.
Helio being controlled here momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Helio controlling from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Macdonald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Macdonald has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Macdonald!