PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Julian Gniewek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Baeddan MacAuliffe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). MacAuliffe has chosen Notorious by Duran Duran as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gniewek
vs
MacAuliffe

181 cm
24
155 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

175 cm
27
159 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Julian Gniewek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Baeddan MacAuliffe!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacAuliffe misses with a few strikes there.
A little feinted left hand from Gniewek on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
MacAuliffe throws a body shot but no joy.
Gniewek is looking to counter punch.
MacAuliffe falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gniewek cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Baeddan MacAuliffe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gniewek throws an overhand right that lands on MacAuliffe's shoulder, as MacAuliffe tries to avoid the shot.
MacAuliffe closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
MacAuliffe bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
MacAuliffe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gniewek.
Gniewek tries to bum rush MacAuliffe with a series of wild strikes but MacAuliffe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
MacAuliffe lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
MacAuliffe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gniewek cracks MacAuliffe with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

MacAuliffe closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Gniewek quickly recovers to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gniewek trying to hold on to MacAuliffe's head to control him but MacAuliffe postures up.
MacAuliffe wants to pass the guard but Gniewek is defending well.
Gniewek wants to improve his position but MacAuliffe is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gniewek is not content to let MacAuliffe control the position.
Gniewek is trying to control but can't.
MacAuliffe working over Gniewek with some ground and pound. Gniewek looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
MacAuliffe tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gniewek knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
MacAuliffe drops an elbow to the side of Gniewek's head.

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

MacAuliffe is looking for submissions but instead, Gniewek has regained full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gniewek is keeping the position for now.
MacAuliffe working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gniewek is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gniewek trying to keep a closed guard but MacAuliffe is proving a slippery customer.
MacAuliffe trying to control the position from guard on top but Gniewek is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
MacAuliffe is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gniewek looking for a guillotine here but MacAuliffe defends easily.
MacAuliffe is working Gniewek over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Gniewek is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
MacAuliffe is in close to Gniewek's body, working some short punches and elbows.
MacAuliffe stopping the sweep attempt from Gniewek.
MacAuliffe trying to control but Gniewek is working from the bottom.

Gniewek is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and MacAuliffe defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gniewek is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gniewek keeping moving, preventing MacAuliffe from controlling successfully.
MacAuliffe stands up over Gniewek, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gniewek working a defensive guard here.
Gniewek keeping full guard, as MacAuliffe tries to pass.
MacAuliffe connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gniewek is trying to control the position but MacAuliffe postures up.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw MacAuliffe working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
MacAuliffe distracts Gniewek with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Baeddan MacAuliffe dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

MacAuliffe scores with a nice strike.
Baeddan MacAuliffe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gniewek slips a jab and a cross from MacAuliffe.
MacAuliffe is looking to chop away at Gniewek's legs.
MacAuliffe throws a predictable looking body shot
and Gniewek cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gniewek connects with a crisp jab.
Gniewek showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from MacAuliffe.
Gniewek defending well as MacAuliffe loads up on a big left hand.
MacAuliffe misses with a double jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Gniewek misses the target.
MacAuliffe looks to throw the jab but Gniewek is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gniewek throws out a loose jab but MacAuliffe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gniewek lands with a nice body kick.
A low kick from MacAuliffe misses
and Gniewek counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Julian Gniewek is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
MacAuliffe throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Gniewek counter with a right hand.
MacAuliffe swats away the attempt to clinch by Gniewek.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacAuliffe takes a swing at Gniewek's ribcage but misses.
Gniewek stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gniewek cracks MacAuliffe with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
MacAuliffe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gniewek circles away quickly and effectively.
Gniewek tries to counter by moving into the clinch but MacAuliffe manages to circle out of the way.
MacAuliffe swinging wildly here.
Gniewek throws the left hand but MacAuliffe avoids the punch easily.
MacAuliffe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
MacAuliffe shoots in but Gniewek avoids the takedown attempt easily.
MacAuliffe tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gniewek swivels and escapes.
Gniewek thuds his right hand into MacAuliffe's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nice shot by Gniewek.

MacAuliffe is rocked!
Gniewek paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
MacAuliffe is still on wobbly legs! Can Gniewek finish him?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gniewek fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
No joy there for Gniewek, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gniewek is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gniewek scores with a hook to the body. MacAuliffe takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Julian Gniewek is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
MacAuliffe takes a shot to the body in his stride.
MacAuliffe is breathing heavily.

MacAuliffe fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gniewek sprawls well initially but MacAuliffe persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
MacAuliffe is thwarting Gniewek's attempts to control the position.
Gniewek gets back to full guard.

Gniewek working for a triangle but MacAuliffe defends it easily.

Gniewek is looking for a triangle but MacAuliffe pushes his legs off easily.
MacAuliffe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
MacAuliffe scoring with some ground and pound.
Gniewek keeping moving, preventing MacAuliffe from controlling successfully.

Gniewek throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
MacAuliffe wants to control from the top but Gniewek keeps moving.
Gniewek keeping full guard, as MacAuliffe tries to pass.
MacAuliffe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
MacAuliffe seems to have recovered his senses.
MacAuliffe preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MacAuliffe drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and MacAuliffe jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
MacAuliffe makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gniewek is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gniewek keeping moving, preventing MacAuliffe from controlling successfully.
Gniewek wants to sweep but no luck.
MacAuliffe scoring with punches to the head and body.
MacAuliffe scoring with some ground and pound.
MacAuliffe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
MacAuliffe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
MacAuliffe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gniewek looking to control.
Gniewek keeping full guard, as MacAuliffe tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MacAuliffe avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gniewek is trying to hold MacAuliffe in close to prevent damage but MacAuliffe has managed to pass into half guard.
Gniewek is looking to control MacAuliffe's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gniewek avoid being mounted?
MacAuliffe looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gniewek is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at mickeyharts the greatest , so we'll see if he gets out of it.

MacAuliffe is looking for a kimura but Gniewek is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for MacAuliffe to get the leverage.
Gniewek trying to control here.
Gniewek wants to improve his position but MacAuliffe is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Julian Gniewek will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nice defenses there by MacAuliffe.
MacAuliffe misses with a two punch combination.
MacAuliffe misses with a two punch combination.
MacAuliffe uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gniewek.
MacAuliffe clobbers Gniewek with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

MacAuliffe fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gniewek to the ground. MacAuliffe is now in Gniewek's guard.
Gniewek is trying to control the position from the bottom.
MacAuliffe trying to move into half guard but instead Gniewek has managed to sweep!

Baeddan MacAuliffe has got the better of the ground game so far.
MacAuliffe striking off his back but it's not causing Gniewek any problems.
MacAuliffe is trying to control the position from the bottom.

MacAuliffe throws his legs up looking for a submission but Gniewek uses it to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gniewek working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gniewek blocks the strikes from MacAuliffe.

Gniewek swings around for an armbar but MacAuliffe sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gniewek's guard.
Gniewek can't keep his opponent in guard - MacAuliffe advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gniewek wants to control but MacAuliffe is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gniewek is not content to let MacAuliffe control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gniewek manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gniewek is trying to control the position from the bottom.
MacAuliffe connects with a couple of short punches.
MacAuliffe lands a couple of digs.
MacAuliffe wants to control from the top but Gniewek keeps moving.
MacAuliffe connects with a couple of short punches.
MacAuliffe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

MacAuliffe got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gniewek has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, MacAuliffe has managed to get both his arms back between Gniewek's legs - danger averted.
MacAuliffe scoring with some ground and pound.

Gniewek looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gniewek is pulling down on MacAuliffe's head to control his posture.
MacAuliffe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Gniewek looking for a guillotine here but MacAuliffe defends easily.
MacAuliffe lands a couple of elbows.
MacAuliffe is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
MacAuliffe landing with the ground and pound.
Gniewek has momentary wrist control but MacAuliffe slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe wants to control from the top but Gniewek keeps moving.
MacAuliffe pushing down on Gniewek's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
MacAuliffe wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gniewek keeps working.
Gniewek moves into full guard.
MacAuliffe keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gniewek's head.
MacAuliffe wants to control from the top but Gniewek keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gniewek has momentary wrist control but MacAuliffe slips an elbow through the middle.
MacAuliffe scoring with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Baeddan MacAuliffe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think MacAuliffe 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29

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