PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Martin McConnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maxwell Booker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Martin McConnell has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McConnell
vs
Booker

172 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Martin McConnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Maxwell Booker!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McConnell gets caught napping as Booker dives in and scores a takedown. McConnell manages to retain guard.
Booker throwing strikes from guard but McConnell blocks nicely.
Booker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McConnell trying to control the position.

McConnell escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Booker gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
McConnell pulls Booker in close to prevent any damage.

McConnell looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McConnell is trying to keep Booker in close.
Booker working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Booker is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Booker looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Booker keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McConnell's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Booker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Booker must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McConnell keeping moving, preventing Booker from controlling successfully.
McConnell is trying to hold Booker in close to prevent damage but Booker has managed to pass into half guard.
Booker landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Booker is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Booker wants to lay and pray for a moment but McConnell keeps working.
Booker might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control McConnell haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Booker is sneakily working for an arm triangle but McConnell sees it coming and defends easily.
Booker trying to control from half guard but McConnell is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McConnell is trying to get back to full guard.
Booker takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Booker sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McConnell defending well though.
McConnell gets back to full guard.
Booker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Booker landing with the ground and pound.
Booker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Booker landing with the ground and pound.
Booker cracks McConnell with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McConnell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Booker doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Booker manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McConnell is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Booker working some strikes from top position.
Booker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
McConnell working a defensive guard here.
Booker slips nicely into half guard.

McConnell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
McConnell wants to control but Booker is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Booker not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Booker is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
McConnell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Booker is working away from the top position though.
Booker prevents McConnell from improving his position.
Booker landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Booker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Booker is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McConnell defends it well.
Ground and pound from Booker.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McConnell is not content to let Booker control the position.
McConnell regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxwell Booker dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McConnell tries to clinch but Booker moves out of range.
Booker drops down looking to force a counter takedown but McConnell defends it well.

Booker gets a double leg takedown into McConnell's guard.
McConnell working a defensive guard here.
Booker lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McConnell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

McConnell is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Booker defends well.
Booker landing with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Booker with a flurry of punches that miss.
McConnell trying to control the position here.
Booker distracts McConnell with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McConnell looking to control.
Booker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Booker trying to control but McConnell is working from the bottom.
McConnell trying to keep a closed guard but Booker is proving a slippery customer.

McConnell has his foot on Booker's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Booker works his way back into a safe position though.
Booker is looking to work some ground and pound but McConnell has wrist control.
Booker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Booker working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of McConnell's head.
Booker makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Booker postures up in McConnell's guard and throws a big left but McConnell blocks it.
McConnell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McConnell is really struggling to control Booker but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Booker looking to pass the guard.
Maxwell Booker has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McConnell is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Booker is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in McConnell's half guard.
McConnell slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Booker postures up.
McConnell looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

McConnell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Booker defends it easily.
Booker slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McConnell is trying to control Booker's posture but Booker avoids it.

Booker is trying to get an arm triangle but McConnell is defending well.
McConnell is looking for a sweep.
Booker grinds an elbow into McConnell's temple.
Booker is looking to take a break and control but McConnell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McConnell tries to bench press Booker off him but Booker keeps the position.
Booker scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at McConnell to see if he's OK.
Booker cracks McConnell with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Booker looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
McConnell is trying to control Booker's posture but Booker avoids it.
Booker working the ground and pound from side control.
Booker cracks McConnell with a big right hand but McConnell just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
McConnell is trying to improve his position.
Booker misses with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McConnell manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Booker tries to roll over but McConnell keeps him under control.
McConnell is thwarting Booker's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxwell Booker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Booker drives through with a takedown into guard.
Booker is pushing down on McConnell's leg trying to pass to half guard. McConnell is fighting to maintain full guard but Booker has managed to sneak the leg through.
McConnell regains full guard. Nicely done.
Booker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Booker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Booker lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Booker stands up over McConnell, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Booker is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Booker postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Booker is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
McConnell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Booker with a flurry of punches that miss.

Booker got a little sloppy there for a moment and McConnell has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Booker has managed to get both his arms back between McConnell's legs - danger averted.
McConnell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

McConnell is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Booker is aware though and is defending well.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Booker's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Booker is pushing down on McConnell's leg trying to pass to half guard. McConnell is fighting to maintain full guard but Booker has managed to sneak the leg through.

Booker is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
McConnell moves into full guard.
Booker chips away with some ground and pound.
Maxwell Booker 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.

McConnell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Booker sitting in guard here, content to control.
McConnell looking to control.
Booker is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Martin McConnell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McConnell works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Booker looking to score a takedown here. McConnell is defending well but Booker drives through and ends up in McConnell's guard.
McConnell keeping moving, preventing Booker from controlling successfully.
Booker sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Martin McConnell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McConnell looking to control.
Booker is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McConnell wants to clinch

and Booker counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for McConnell!
Booker slows the pace down.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McConnell is trying to get back to half guard.
Booker just content to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maxwell Booker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Booker 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maxwell Booker!
Maxwell Booker thanked the fans post fight for their support.