PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Phil High (ranked 1837 p4p, 265 weight class) and Connor MacLeod (ranked 1813 p4p, 264 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

High
vs
MacLeod

190 cm
29
215 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

189 cm
26
212 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sportivité
Aspire Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Phil High!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Connor MacLeod!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacLeod darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
High lands with a nice body punch.
High thows a leg kick but MacLeod checks it

and MacLeod counters with a shoot takedown. High fights it but they end up in guard.

MacLeod drops back looking for a leg! High is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and High manages to kick MacLeod off! MacLeod jumps back into High's guard.
MacLeod wants to pass the guard but High is keeping the position.
MacLeod slips nicely into half guard.
High wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacLeod moves nicely into side control.
MacLeod tries to advance to mount but can't.

MacLeod tries for a kimura but High is defending well.
High manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacLeod wants to improve his position but High is controlling well.
High not doing much here.
High prevents MacLeod from improving his position.
MacLeod told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
High wants to stand but MacLeod has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
MacLeod wants to get back to full guard.
MacLeod is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
MacLeod is looking for a sweep. High is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
MacLeod trying to control but High postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. MacLeod manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
MacLeod working a defensive guard here.
High is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at LOD: Legion's PIT Fight Club that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
MacLeod keeping moving, preventing High from controlling successfully.
MacLeod can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as High controls the pace.

High avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
MacLeod is trying to control the position from the bottom.
High controlling from the top position.
High wants to control from the top but MacLeod keeps moving.
MacLeod bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in High's guard.

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

MacLeod drops back looking for a leg! High is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and High manages to kick MacLeod off! MacLeod jumps back into High's guard.
MacLeod stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. High swivels though and keeps the full guard.
High has his hands on MacLeod's head, controlling the position.
MacLeod advances position into side control!
MacLeod tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

MacLeod is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, High has escaped the position, nice work there.
You can see the frustration on High's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

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.

MacLeod is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but High is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
High is looking for a sweep.

MacLeod wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by High, who protects the arm well.

MacLeod thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

MacLeod tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

MacLeod goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, High has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for MacLeod but great work by High.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MacLeod is looking to regain half guard here but High keeps moving and retains side control.
MacLeod is not content to let High control the position.
Sloppy strikes there by High.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor MacLeod dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

High tries a head kick but it misses.
MacLeod fails with the takedown.
High is looking to counter punch.
MacLeod fails with the takedown
enabling High to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Connor MacLeod has been cut.
High lands a jab.

High lands a big shot that drops MacLeod! Can he finish him?

MacLeod is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
High sitting in guard here, content to control.

MacLeod looking for a guillotine here but High defends easily.
High working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
High controls from within his opponent's guard.
High is pushing down on MacLeod's leg trying to pass to half guard. MacLeod is fighting to maintain full guard but High has managed to sneak the leg through.
MacLeod tries to roll over but High keeps him under control.
MacLeod makes his way to full guard. A much better position for MacLeod.
High wants to get up but he can't break MacLeod's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
MacLeod trying to control the position.
MacLeod has his hands on High's head, controlling the position.

High avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
High stopping the sweep attempt from MacLeod.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
MacLeod is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
MacLeod controls High momentarily but High frees himself.
High won't allow MacLeod to sweep him here.
High has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of MacLeod is proving hard to escape from.
High controls from within his opponent's guard.
MacLeod looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
High postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
High stuffs the takedown attempt from MacLeod. MacLeod gets slowly back to his feet.
Phil High has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor MacLeod.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacLeod fails with the takedown
and High counters with a low kick, right behind MacLeod 's knee.
MacLeod is breathing heavily.
High stuffs the takedown attempt from MacLeod. MacLeod gets slowly back to his feet.
High thinks about countering with a head kick.
High dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
High thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on MacLeod if he has to take too many more of those.
High lands a lovely overhand right.
MacLeod tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from MacLeod.
MacLeod takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A slapping body kick lands there for High.
High fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. MacLeod looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

High sets himself and throws a head kick that knocks MacLeod to the ground! High dives into full mount looking to finish!

That has opened up Connor MacLeod's cut even more.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
High controlling his opponent.
MacLeod really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
High cracks MacLeod with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
High wants to control the pace but MacLeod is squirming around nicely.
High takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil High dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Connor MacLeod's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

MacLeod tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
High was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
High throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice inside leg kick there by MacLeod. That's going to slow High down.
High scores with a nice strike.

The cut above Connor MacLeod's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
High ducks down and throws a hook to the body but MacLeod moves away.
MacLeod dives in and grabs High's left leg, looking for a takedown. High pushes down on MacLeod's head and hops out.

High gets caught napping as MacLeod dives in and scores a takedown. High manages to retain guard.
High has MacLeod pulled in close to control his posture.

High has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. MacLeod has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
High gets underhooks to prevent MacLeod's takedown attempt.
MacLeod throws a punch but it's blocked by High.
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!
MacLeod looking for a takedown.
Phil High has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor MacLeod.
MacLeod dodges an elbow strike from High.
MacLeod takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
MacLeod tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for High.
A short right hand to the side of the head by High.
High cracks MacLeod with a nice body shot.
High lands with a short punch from the clinch.
High lands with a right to the head.
High tries a body shot but MacLeod blocks it.
High lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down MacLeod.
High landing knees to the body.
High with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
MacLeod has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. High avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
High lands a right hand that snaps the head of MacLeod backwards.
High lands a nice elbow.

Connor MacLeod's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
High stops a takedown attempt from MacLeod.
A nice left hand lands by High.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
High lands with a short shot to the head.
MacLeod is still on wobbly legs! Can High finish him?

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Connor MacLeod's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Phil High!
A very excited looking Phil High made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.