PBP Commentary

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

Daugherty
vs
Hoolihan

217 cm
18
140 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

172 cm
18
145 lbs
2 - 2 - 2

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Lester Daugherty!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 2, fighting out of London, Bernard Hoolihan!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Daugherty gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hoolihan looking for a takedown.

Hoolihan is trying to trip Daugherty. He has hold of a leg but Daugherty is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Hoolihan persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Hoolihan stopping the sweep attempt from Daugherty.
Hoolihan wants to control from the top but Daugherty keeps moving.
Daugherty wants to get back to his feet but Hoolihan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hoolihan's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoolihan wants to pass the guard but Daugherty is keeping the position.
Hoolihan trying to control but Daugherty is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hoolihan might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Daugherty haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hoolihan decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Daugherty, up you get!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hoolihan.
Daugherty avoids a punch combination nicely.

Hoolihan forces Daugherty back against the cage and clinches.
Hoolihan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Daugherty just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lester Daugherty has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bernard Hoolihan.
Hoolihan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Daugherty looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoolihan misses with a punch to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Hoolihan.
Daugherty prevents a takedown attempt there.

Hoolihan has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Daugherty uses from the top position.
Daugherty content to stall in guard here.
Hoolihan wants to get back to his feet but Daugherty is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Daugherty wants to get up but he can't break Hoolihan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Daugherty gets to his feet. Hoolihan looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Daugherty misses.
Daugherty looks to land a combination. Hoolihan sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Daugherty rushes Hoolihan and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Daugherty really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Daugherty is trying to break the clinch but Hoolihan is controlling him.
Daugherty tries to break free but Hoolihan pushes him back against the cage.
Hoolihan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Daugherty just stands there and leans against the cage.

Hoolihan turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Hoolihan lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Daugherty is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hoolihan's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Hoolihan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoolihan is keen to just control but Daugherty is a slippery customer.
Hoolihan blocks the strikes from Daugherty.
Daugherty is looking to improve his position.
Hoolihan sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Hoolihan tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Daugherty.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hoolihan trying to control the action but Daugherty is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lester Daugherty 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.

Hoolihan gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Daugherty breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hoolihan fails to land the takedown.

Daugherty gets a clinch.
Hoolihan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Daugherty wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hoolihan has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Daugherty is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Lester Daugherty has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bernard Hoolihan.
Daugherty looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Hoolihan manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Daugherty content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daugherty wanted to stand there but Hoolihan had control of the position.
Hoolihan working a defensive guard here.
Daugherty wants to stand but Hoolihan has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Daugherty trying to control the position from guard on top but Hoolihan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Daugherty would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

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.
Daugherty wants to control from the top but Hoolihan keeps moving.
Hoolihan has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Daugherty has passed into side control.
Hoolihan tries to control but Daugherty manages to take his back.
Hoolihan wants to escape the position.
Daugherty tries to keep control of the position but Hoolihan is staying busy.
Daugherty controls the position.
Hoolihan is in bad spot here.
Hoolihan tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoolihan tries to hold on but Daugherty postures up.
Daugherty controlling his opponent.
Daugherty is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hoolihan can do to turn this around?
Daugherty scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Hoolihan?
Hoolihan wants to control but Daugherty is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoolihan is working to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Daugherty sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hoolihan is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hoolihan is desperately trying to improve his position but Daugherty has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lester Daugherty dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hoolihan tries a head kick but it misses.
Daugherty throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hoolihan circles away from the clinch attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Daugherty throws a nice looking combination but Hoolihan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hoolihan shoots in for a takedown but Daugherty shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hoolihan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoolihan closes the distance and clinches up with Daugherty, looking for a takedown. Hoolihan pushes Daugherty against the cage but Daugherty circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Daugherty throws a head kick that misses.
Hoolihan throws a low kick, looking for Daugherty's leg but Daugherty calmly moves out of range.
Bernard Hoolihan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hoolihan throws a head kick but Daugherty moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoolihan shoots and misses
and Daugherty counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Lester Daugherty has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bernard Hoolihan.
Hoolihan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Hoolihan drives through and clinches with Daugherty against the cage.
Hoolihan is looking to take this one to the mat.
Daugherty tries to break free but Hoolihan pushes him back against the cage.
Daugherty lands an uppercut.

Daugherty breaks the clinch.
Daugherty throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sloppy strikes from Daugherty. Those never looked like landing.

Hoolihan closes the distance and clinches.
Hoolihan jumps guard but Daugherty stands there with Hoolihan around his waist. Hoolihan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hoolihan is looking to break free of the clinch but Daugherty has double underhooks.
Daugherty 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Daugherty breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Hoolihan clinches up against the cage.
Hoolihan jumps guard but Daugherty turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Hoolihan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hoolihan blocks a head kick by Daugherty.
Hoolihan shoots in looking for a takedown. Daugherty tries to sprawl out of it but Hoolihan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Daugherty manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Daugherty looks to land a combination but Hoolihan avoids it well.
Lester Daugherty is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hoolihan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Daugherty escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Daugherty throws a head kick but Hoolihan moves out of range.
Daugherty throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Hoolihan counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Daugherty is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A short right from Hoolihan on the inside.
Hoolihan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Daugherty has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Daugherty's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Daugherty feints a jab promting Hoolihan to slip. Daugherty then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Hoolihan slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hoolihan dives in and grabs Daugherty's left leg, looking for a takedown. Daugherty pushes down on Hoolihan's head and hops out.
Hoolihan blocks a head kick by Daugherty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoolihan throws a head kick that Daugherty semi-blocks.
Hoolihan blocks a head kick by Daugherty.
Hoolihan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As Hoolihan looks to move away, Daugherty throws a big counter combo but Hoolihan just gets out of the way.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoolihan misses the shot to the body.
Hoolihan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Daugherty but Daugherty pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Daugherty is looking for a counter combo.
Daugherty throws a sloppy head kick and Hoolihan moves out of range easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hoolihan or perhaps it was just good defense by Daugherty, which made it look bad.
Daugherty seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lester Daugherty showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Daugherty, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lester Daugherty!