PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Efrain Velasquez (ranked 24613 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gregor Mcleod (ranked 5903 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Velasquez
vs
Mcleod

206 cm
20
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

170 cm
18
130 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Intelligent

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Efrain Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gregor Mcleod!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velasquez shoots for a takedown but Mcleod saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Velasquez clinches up against the cage.

Velasquez successfully pulls guard.
Mcleod wants to control from the top but Velasquez keeps moving.

Mcleod gets to his feet - Velasquez follows without any prompting.
Velasquez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mcleod's waist but Mcleod gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Velasquez off to one side.

Mcleod takes the fight into the clinch.
Velasquez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mcleod walks away with a smile on his face. Velasquez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Efrain Velasquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mcleod shoots in and gets a takedown into Velasquez's guard.
Mcleod stops Velasquez from standing up.
Mcleod sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mcleod wants to stand but Velasquez has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcleod stopping the sweep attempt from Velasquez.
Velasquez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mcleod manages to get himself to full guard.

Mcleod is pulling down on Velasquez's head to control his posture.

Velasquez stands up from Mcleod's guard - Velasquez perhaps looking for a knockout.

Mcleod forces Velasquez back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mcleod manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Mcleod keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mcleod working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Velasquez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Velasquez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Mcleod working for a triangle but Velasquez defends it easily.
Mcleod seems keen to control Velasquez's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcleod wants to hit a switch here but Velasquez passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Mcleod there!
Velasquez controlling his opponent.
Velasquez avoids the attempt from Mcleod to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mcleod is squirming around, avoiding Velasquez's attempts to control the action.
Mcleod is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Mcleod tries to improve his position but instead Velasquez has taken his back!
Mcleod breaks Velasquez's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Velasquez trying to keep a closed guard but Mcleod is proving a slippery customer.
Velasquez lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gregor Mcleod will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Velasquez gets a clinch.
Velasquez jumps guard but Mcleod turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mcleod stops a takedown attempt from Velasquez.
Velasquez blocks the elbow strike.
Velasquez landing knees to the head.

Mcleod has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Velasquez is trying to keep an underhook but Mcleod manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Mcleod is looking to take a break and control but Velasquez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mcleod is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mcleod stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Mcleod closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Velasquez to the mat! Velasquez manages to get full guard.
Velasquez is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Mcleod dives into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcleod is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Velasquez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Mcleod is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Velasquez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Mcleod has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Mcleod closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mcleod lands in his opponent's guard.

Velasquez has his feet on Mcleod's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mcleod looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Velasquez manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mcleod gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Velasquez regains guard.
Mcleod looking to sit in guard and control but Velasquez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mcleod can do anything to dispel that myth.

Velasquez drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Mcleod manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Velasquez has Mcleod in his guard.

Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mcleod tries to free his leg and advance position but Velasquez is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez working a defensive guard here.
Velasquez keeping moving, preventing Mcleod from controlling successfully.
Mcleod won't allow Velasquez to sweep him here.
Velasquez has his hands on Mcleod's head, controlling the position.

Mcleod decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Velasquez has Mcleod up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Mcleod ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mcleod no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Velasquez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Mcleod is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Velasquez defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mcleod is pulling down on Velasquez's head to control his posture.
Mcleod 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gregor Mcleod will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Velasquez moves into the clinch successfully.

Mcleod manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcleod is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mcleod is on top in guard.

Gregor Mcleod has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mcleod engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcleod distracts Velasquez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Mcleod throws a strike but Velasquez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcleod wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mcleod is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mcleod wants to hit a switch here but Velasquez passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Mcleod there!
Mcleod is trying to reverse the position but instead Velasquez has taken his back - oops!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcleod trying to control the position but Velasquez manages to sink in the hooks.
Mcleod looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Velasquez trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Velasquez working for a choke but Mcleod is defending well.
Mcleod trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez is looking for the choke from the back position but Mcleod is controlling his hands well.
You can see the frustration on Mcleod's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Velasquez is looking to control Mcleod but Mcleod is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Mcleod is trying to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mcleod wants to control his opponent's hands but Velasquez gets his hands free.
Mcleod breaks Velasquez's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Mcleod landing some decent shots from guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mcleod wants to control from the top but Velasquez keeps moving.
Mcleod looking to pass the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Efrain Velasquez.
I think Mcleod 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 29:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Efrain Velasquez!