PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nigel Mcconnell (ranked 5818 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shunte Calhoun (ranked 7855 p4p, 0 weight class). Shunte Calhoun is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Mcconnell
vs
Calhoun

200 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nigel Mcconnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shunte Calhoun!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Robert Twigg and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Calhoun throws a sloppy head kick and Mcconnell moves out of range easily.
Calhoun looks for the body kick but Mcconnell saw that one coming.
Mcconnell throws a left and a right that both miss

and Calhoun holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Mcconnell successfully pulls guard.
Mcconnell wants to get back to his feet but Calhoun is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mcconnell preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Calhoun won't allow Mcconnell to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcconnell pulls Calhoun in close to prevent any damage.

Mcconnell manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Mcconnell darts in trying to clinch
and Calhoun counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calhoun swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Mcconnell clinches up with Calhoun and pushes him back against the cage.
Mcconnell has Calhoun pressed against the cage.
Calhoun wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mcconnell wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mcconnell has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Calhoun after a bit of a struggle.
Mcconnell tries to pull guard but Calhoun won't allow it.

Calhoun gets control of Mcconnell's arms and successfully pulls guard. Calhoun will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Mcconnell stopping the sweep attempt from Calhoun.
Mcconnell won't allow Calhoun to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun controls Mcconnell momentarily but Mcconnell frees himself.
Calhoun throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Mcconnell wants to control from the top but Calhoun keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Calhoun can do anything to dispel that myth.
Calhoun is trying to control the position but Mcconnell postures up.
Calhoun keeping moving, preventing Mcconnell from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mcconnell lands with a slapping head kick.
Mcconnell misses with a double jab

and Calhoun moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mcconnell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nigel Mcconnell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Calhoun unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Mcconnell is breathing heavily.
Mcconnell has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mcconnell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Calhoun just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mcconnell is trying to break the clinch but Calhoun is controlling him.

Calhoun's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Calhoun gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Calhoun keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mcconnell's efforts to push away.

Mcconnell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Calhoun decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Calhoun decides to stand up.

Calhoun fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mcconnell to the ground. Calhoun is now in Mcconnell's guard.

Calhoun thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Calhoun is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mcconnell is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

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

Shunte Calhoun 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.

Mcconnell moves out of range of the body kick from Calhoun.
Mcconnell goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Mcconnell tries for a takedown but Calhoun sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Mcconnell rushes Calhoun and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Calhoun pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mcconnell leaves Calhoun with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Mcconnell tries to keep at a distance but Calhoun has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Calhoun tries for a takedown. No joy.

Mcconnell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcconnell tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Calhoun counters with a three punch combo that has Mcconnell backing up. Mcconnell nods at Calhoun to acknowledge the strikes.
Calhoun misses with a takedown attempt - Mcconnell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nigel Mcconnell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shunte Calhoun.
Calhoun is breathing heavily.
Mcconnell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Calhoun paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mcconnell is looking to clinch.
Calhoun with the counter takedown but Mcconnell avoids it easily.
Mcconnell takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Mcconnell wants to clinch but Calhoun slips to the side
and Calhoun counters with a two punch combo.

Mcconnell gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mcconnell working hard to break the clinch.
Mcconnell throws an elbow that misses.
Mcconnell has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell tries to circle away but Calhoun has him pinned against the cage.
Mcconnell tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Calhoun smiles and moves away.

Calhoun has taken the fight to the clinch.

Calhoun is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Mcconnell can't fight it off and eventually Calhoun manages to take the fight to the floor. Mcconnell looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mcconnell wriggles free and stands up.
Mcconnell misses with a combination

and Calhoun counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mcconnell works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Calhoun wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Mcconnell manages to pass to side control.

Mcconnell not doing much here.
Mcconnell is trying to control. Calhoun wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mcconnell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mcconnell thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Calhoun's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun trying to control but Mcconnell postures up.
Mcconnell perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nigel Mcconnell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Calhoun avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mcconnell.
Mcconnell slows the pace down in half guard.
Calhoun has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mcconnell is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shunte Calhoun will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Mcconnell darts in and clinches Calhoun up against the cage.
Calhoun tries to pull guard but Mcconnell holds him up against the cage and eventually Calhoun drops back down to his feet.
Calhoun wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Calhoun tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mcconnell smiles and moves away.
Calhoun fails in his attempt to clinch.

Mcconnell gets tackled into the cage by Calhoun. Calhoun maintains the clinch.
Mcconnell fails to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcconnell throws a head punch that misses.
Mcconnell tries to break the clinch but Calhoun is controlling the position.
Mcconnell is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Calhoun gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Mcconnell wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Calhoun has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcconnell misses with the head strike.

Mcconnell ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mcconnell no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Mcconnell working a defensive guard here.
Mcconnell keeping full guard, as Calhoun tries to pass.

Mcconnell has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Calhoun off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Mcconnell is looking to clinch but Calhoun is avoiding it.
Mcconnell tries to clinch but Calhoun is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell wants to clinch

and Calhoun decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mcconnell's guard.

Mcconnell manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Calhoun controlling the action here for a moment.
Mcconnell tries to pull guard but Calhoun won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nigel Mcconnell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Calhoun's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Mcconnell pulls guard.
Calhoun postures up in Mcconnell's guard and throws a big left but Mcconnell blocks it.

Calhoun is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mcconnell is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mcconnell has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Calhoun looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Calhoun tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Calhoun is looking for a triangle here but Mcconnell uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Mcconnell staying calm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A control attempt from Calhoun but he's now mounted!
Mcconnell content just to control the position here.
Nigel Mcconnell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shunte Calhoun is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Calhoun is trying to escape the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nigel Mcconnell showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Calhoun 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shunte Calhoun!