PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John McDonald (ranked 6352 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nigel Mutt (ranked 7979 p4p, 0 weight class). John McDonald has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McDonald
vs
Mutt

187 cm
23
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nigel Mutt!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mutt misses with a wild combination.
McDonald plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
McDonald has a takedown stuffed.
McDonald dodges the punch combination from Mutt.

McDonald rushes Mutt and presses him up against the cage.
Mutt has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A frustrated look appears on Mutt's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mutt wants to get back to striking at distance but McDonald won't allow it.

McDonald gets control of Mutt's arms and successfully pulls guard. McDonald will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Mutt wanted to stand there but McDonald had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutt is fighting to break McDonald's control of his arms but McDonald is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

McDonald has his feet on Mutt's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Sloppy strikes from Mutt. Those never looked like landing.
Mutt misses with a double jab
and McDonald counters with a nice uppercut.
McDonald looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McDonald tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mutt defends well and McDonald ends up having to push Mutt into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald lands a head kick!
Mutt cracks McDonald with an open hand slap.
Mutt scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McDonald changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mutt tries to avoid it but McDonald manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mutt to the ground. Mutt escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutt throws a right hand that McDonald ducks under and follows up with a left that McDonald also avoids with ease.
Mutt looks winded!
Mutt stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mutt wants it to stay on the feet.
Nigel Mutt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mutt throws an overhand right that lands on McDonald's shoulder, as McDonald tries to avoid the shot.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown but Mutt shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McDonald has his takedown stuffed
and Mutt counters with a left and a right that stings McDonald.
Nigel Mutt is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mutt misses the shot to the body.
Mutt fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McDonald misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mutt throws out a loose jab but McDonald uses good head movement to avoid it.
A punch combination from Mutt misses.
Mutt stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mutt wants it to stay on the feet.
Mutt fails to land with a series of punches.
McDonald throws a big counter combination but Mutt scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutt throws a right hand that McDonald ducks under and follows up with a left that McDonald also avoids with ease.
McDonald feinted with a counter takedown.

McDonald moves into range and clinches up with Mutt.
McDonald can't get the takedown.

McDonald breaks from the clinch.
McDonald shoots in for a double leg but Mutt sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mutt throws a series of punches but McDonald avoids them all with ease.
McDonald will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mutt unleashes a big counter combination but McDonald bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
We've been informed that Mutt has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Mutt cracks McDonald with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Mutt tries to clinch but McDonald is having none of it.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mutt paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mutt stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mutt wants it to stay on the feet.
McDonald fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mutt avoids it really well and circles away.
Mutt appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mutt moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
McDonald lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mutt circles away quickly and effectively.
Mutt defends well against a solid takedown attempt from McDonald.
McDonald tries to clinch there but Mutt circles away.
Mutt connects with a body shot.
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!
Mutt fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

McDonald closes the distance and clinches.
Mutt is trying to push McDonald away but McDonald has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

McDonald decides to pull guard.
McDonald has control of Mutt's left arm, preventing Mutt from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mutt misses with a series of wild punches.
McDonald avoids a punch combination nicely.
McDonald closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mutt circles away.
John McDonald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McDonald shoots in and drives through. Mutt sprawls well.
Mutt misses with a series of wild punches.
Mutt looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mutt.
A combination from Mutt does no damage.
Mutt is breathing heavily.
Mutt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McDonald lands with a thumping leg kick.
Mutt leaves McDonald with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A countering left hand to the body from Mutt misses.
Mutt misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McDonald wants to clinch up but Mutt keeps it at a distance.
Mutt is looking for the big counter here.
Mutt on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Mutt swats away the attempt to clinch by McDonald.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mutt as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mutt but Mutt pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nigel Mutt seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mutt connects with a good right hand that stumbles McDonald. McDonald circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McDonald has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Mutt finds it's way round the side to connect with McDonald's head.
Mutt avoids the head kick by McDonald.
Mutt throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McDonald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mutt was well out of range. Poor timing from McDonald.

Mutt moves into the clinch.
Mutt wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
McDonald drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mutt wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is working for takedown but Mutt is calmly controlling the position for now.
McDonald has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mutt avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McDonald tries to pull guard but Mutt holds him up against the cage and eventually McDonald drops back down to his feet.
McDonald keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mutt's efforts to push away.

Mutt breaks from the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mutt. McDonald does a little dance to reset his feet.
McDonald shoots in but Mutt avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mutt tries to bum rush McDonald with a series of wild strikes but McDonald uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McDonald is looking to clinch but Mutt is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mutt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mutt has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

McDonald closes the distance and pushes Mutt back into the cage.
McDonald tries to pull guard but Mutt won't allow it.
Mutt gets underhooks to prevent McDonald's takedown attempt.
Mutt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mutt tries to circle away but McDonald has him pinned against the cage.
Nice body punch from McDonald.
McDonald taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Mutt working hard to break the clinch.

McDonald pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mutt as he avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Mutt.

McDonald drives through and clinches with Mutt against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nigel Mutt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

McDonald lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mutt misses with a series of wild punches.
Mutt misses with the combination.
Mutt misses with a series of wild punches.
Mutt circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mutt stuffs the takedown attempt from McDonald. McDonald gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McDonald moves into the clinch.
Mutt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McDonald stalls.
Mutt tries to break the clinch but McDonald is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutt is trying to break the clinch but McDonald has him pressed against the cage.
McDonald prevents Mutt from breaking the clinch.

McDonald decides to pull guard.
McDonald doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
McDonald wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mutt trying to stand up but can't free himself from McDonald's guard.
McDonald is pulling down on Mutt's head to control his posture.
Mutt really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McDonald. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

McDonald is looking for a triangle but Mutt pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

McDonald has his foot on Mutt's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mutt works his way back into a safe position though.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Mutt throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mutt leaves McDonald with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
No joy there for Mutt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McDonald looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mutt is fending him off so far but McDonald persists. Nope, Mutt circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mutt forces McDonald back against the cage and clinches.
Mutt is trying to break free.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Mutt tries to circle away but McDonald has him pinned against the cage.
Mutt wants to break free but McDonald has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mutt throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mutt tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McDonald shoots in but no luck this time.
A right-left combo lands from Mutt.
Mutt tries to clinch there but McDonald circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Mutt as McDonald shoots in.
Mutt throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
McDonald shoots in looking for a takedown but Mutt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McDonald's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Mutt clinches with his opponent.
Mutt wants to break the clinch but can't.

Mutt breaks the clinch.

Mutt tries to keep at a distance but McDonald has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McDonald breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McDonald is defended easily by Mutt.
Mutt cracks McDonald with a good jab.
McDonald shoots in for a double leg but Mutt sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As McDonald backs off Mutt throws a huge counter combo but McDonald manages to avoid it all.
Mutt fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McDonald looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDonald throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mutt throws a right and a left that McDonald avoids nicely.
McDonald seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
John McDonald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nigel Mutt is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McDonald takes a swing at Mutt's ribcage but misses.
Mutt looks like he wants to counter punch here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nigel Mutt comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mutt 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nigel Mutt!