PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Connar Scanlan (ranked 5854 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Pole (ranked 3709 p4p, 0 weight class). Mark Pole is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Scanlan
vs
Pole

179 cm
25
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
25
160 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Connar Scanlan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark Pole!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, William Peck and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Scanlan moves away from the strike by Pole.
Pole with a jab.
Pole throws a shot from downtown. Scanlan moves away and avoids it.
Scanlan is looking to clinch but Pole is avoiding it.
A little jabbing left from Pole on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Pole connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Scanlan momentarily.
Scanlan lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Pole swings for the body but Scanlan moves out of range.
Pole loads up on a big right hand but Scanlan slips the punch.
Pole takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Scanlan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Pole on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pole tests Scanlan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Scanlan lands with a straight right. Pole didn't see that one coming.
Pole throws a hook to the side of Scanlan's head but Scanlan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice uppercut there from Scanlan.
Scanlan misses with a hook.
Pole throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Scanlan sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Scanlan rushes Pole and presses him up against the cage.
Pole lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pole breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pole defending well as Scanlan loads up on a big left hand.
A lazy left from Scanlan finds it's target.
Scanlan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pole manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pole jabs Scanlan to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Pole throws a leg kick but Scanlan sees it coming and checks it nicely.
It looked like Scanlan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Scanlan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice uppercut there from Scanlan.
Scanlan jabs Pole right on the nose. Pole blinks but takes it well.
Scanlan throws a good cross that connects.
Pole lands with an overhand left.
Scanlan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pole sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pole staying out of range there.
Scanlan throws a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pole on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Pole walks into a left hand.
Scanlan throws a jab but it's blocked by Pole.
Pole flicks out a counter leg kick but Scanlan steps away.
A telegraphed right hand from Pole misses the target.
Scanlan throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Pole.
Scanlan checks a low kick from Pole.
Pole ducks right into an uppercut from Scanlan.
Scanlan lunges at Pole with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Pole's hand.
Pole throws the left hand but Scanlan avoids the punch easily.
Scanlan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Scanlan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Pole.
Scanlan wants to clinch.
Pole throws a jab but it's blocked by Scanlan.
Scanlan avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Scanlan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Scanlan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Scanlan staying out of range there.
Pole throws a jab when Scanlan was well out of range.
Pole avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pole fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Scanlan on the side of the head.
Scanlan throws out a loose jab but Pole uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pole throws a lazy right hand but Scanlan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Scanlan catches Pole with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Pole moves away from the strike by Scanlan.
Pole throws a jab but it's blocked by Scanlan.
It looked like Scanlan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Scanlan throws a hook but Pole blocks it.
Good exchange - Scanlan coming out on top.
Pole jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pole motions for Scanlan to come forward. Pole throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A shot to the liver by Scanlan. Beautiful body shot.
Pole on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Scanlan connects with a body shot that sends Pole's belly button to the back.
A jab from Scanlan misses.
Scanlan throws a body shot but no joy.
Pole tries a quick counter leg kick but Scanlan is wise to it.
Pole misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Scanlan to counter with a crisp jab.
Scanlan scores with a jab to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Scanlan throws a hook but Pole blocks it.
Scanlan connects with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scanlan looks to throw the jab but Pole is out of range.
Scanlan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Scanlan connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Scanlan is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Scanlan throws out a loose jab but Pole uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pole throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pole uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Scanlan.
Nice cross by Pole.
Pole connects with a nice looking jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Scanlan checks a leg kick.
Pole bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Scanlan's head backwards.
Scanlan lands a really nice looking cross but Pole seems unphased.
Scanlan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pole cracks Scanlan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pole slips under a jab from Scanlan.
Pole uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Scanlan.
A swing and a miss from Pole.
Mark Pole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Scanlan throws out a loose jab but Pole uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connar Scanlan dominated that round.
That's time! Scanlan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Scanlan misses with a straight left.
Pole throws a lazy uppercut
and Scanlan counters with a nice uppercut.
Pole paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Scanlan throws a poor cross that misses
and Pole counters with a left and a right that stings Scanlan.
Scanlan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pole.
Scanlan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Pole slips under a jab from Scanlan.
A jab from Scanlan does it's job there.
Scanlan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pole throws out the jab.
Scanlan tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Pole manages to circle out of the way.
Pole swings for the body but Scanlan moves out of range.
Pole missing with a left hand there. Scanlan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pole walks into a stiff left hand from Scanlan.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Scanlan bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pole's head backwards.
Pole swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Scanlan comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Scanlan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pole can do to turn this around?
Scanlan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pole swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Connar Scanlan is winning the standup battle so far.
Scanlan drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Scanlan scores with a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scanlan stuns Pole with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Pole uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Scanlan.
Scanlan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pole was well out of range. Poor timing from Scanlan.
Scanlan throws a jab but it's blocked by Pole.
Scanlan walks into a jab.
Scanlan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Scanlan throws an overhand right that lands on Pole's shoulder, as Pole tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Scanlan. Pole does a little dance to reset his feet.
Scanlan misses with a straight left.
Scanlan misses with a right hand
and Pole counters with a nice uppercut.
Pole's corner calls for a 1-2. Pole obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Scanlan throws a big shot that misses.
An inside leg kick from Pole misses.
Scanlan wants to clinch up but Pole keeps it at a distance.
Scanlan throws a hook but Pole blocks it.
Pole slips under a jab from Scanlan.
Pole walks into a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pole keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Scanlan.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Scanlan connects with a jab.
Scanlan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Scanlan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pole stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Pole slips under a jab from Scanlan.
Pole is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Scanlan.
Pole bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pole throws a hook but Scanlan blocks it.
Scanlan moves out of range of the leg kick from Pole.
Pole tests Scanlan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Pole ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A lazy left from Scanlan finds it's target.
Pole jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Scanlan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Scanlan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pole manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Scanlan instigates a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Scanlan fails to land.
Scanlan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Scanlan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Scanlan working aggressively here.
Pole blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Scanlan lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Scanlan throws a head punch that misses.
Pole has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A nice left hand lands by Pole.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pole.
Pole blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Pole's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Scanlan misses the jab.
Scanlan misses with a looping left.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pole works the jab nicely.
Scanlan drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Scanlan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pole.
Scanlan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pole looks to land a left hand but Scanlan moved out of range nicely.
Scanlan is looking to counter punch.
Pole defending well as Scanlan loads up on a big left hand.
Pole scores with a nice right hand.
Pole connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Scanlan momentarily.
Scanlan misses with a straight left.
Pole tests Scanlan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jab from Pole.
Pole steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Scanlan.
A lazy left from Scanlan finds it's target.
Scanlan thows a left - swing and a miss!
A telegraphed right hand from Scanlan misses the target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters circling - Scanlan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pole's jab looks to have found its range, popping Scanlan under the eye.
Scanlan thuds a left hand into Pole's body.
Pole shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Pole scores with a nice head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mark Pole will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Pole gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Scanlan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pole.
Scanlan staying out of range there.
Pole thows a left - swing and a miss!
Scanlan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pole keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Scanlan.
Scanlan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Scanlan is looking to clinch but Pole is avoiding it.
Decent striking displayed by Scanlan there.
Pole comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Scanlan tries to clinch but Pole is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pole throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Scanlan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Pole, as that shot connected.
Pole ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Scanlan tries to clinch but Pole moves out of range.
Scanlan wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scanlan throws a lazy right hand but Pole sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Scanlan moves out of range as Pole strikes.
Scanlan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Pole dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pole lands a slapping body shot.
Pole throws a good cross that connects.
Pole lands a nice shot that snaps Scanlan's head back.
Scanlan missing with a left hand there. Pole was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Scanlan misses with a hook. Pole ducked under it nicely.
Pole lands a nice looking body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Scanlan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pole moves away.
Scanlan throws a hook but Pole avoids it easily.
Jab from Pole.
Pole avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Scanlan misses with a hook.
Scanlan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pole sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pole flicks out a counter leg kick but Scanlan steps away.
Pole thuds his right hand into Scanlan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Scanlan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Pole scores with a crisp jab that stopped Scanlan in his tracks.
Pole keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Scanlan misses the target.
Scanlan throws a looping overhand right but Pole ducks down to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Pole misses the target.
Pole cracks Scanlan with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Scanlan doesn't manage to clinch there - Pole circles away.
Pole pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pole connects with a looping right hand.
Scanlan with a hook.
A low kick from Pole is predictable there
and Scanlan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A big left from Pole misses.
Scanlan lands an overhand right.
Scanlan tries to clinch but Pole is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pole missing with a left hand there. Scanlan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Scanlan looks to land a right hand but Pole moved out of range.
Scanlan lands a jab.
Scanlan walks into a left hand.
A jab from Scanlan finds it's way through Pole's defenses.
Scanlan doesn't manage to clinch there - Pole circles away.
Pole misses with an uppercut. Scanlan saw that one coming.
Scanlan is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A swing and a miss from Scanlan.
A jab from Pole does it's job there.
Scanlan takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Scanlan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pole.
Scanlan moves in looking to clinch but Pole pushes him off.
Scanlan takes a jab right on the kisser.
Scanlan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Scanlan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Scanlan looks to land a left hand but Pole moved out of range nicely.
Pole moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Scanlan misses the jab.
Scanlan misses with a straight right.
Scanlan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pole moves away.
Pole misses with a two punch combination.
Pole misses with a straight right.
Pole cracks Scanlan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Scanlan throws a shot from downtown. Pole moves away and avoids it.
Scanlan misses the shot to the body.
Scanlan missing with a left hand there. Pole was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pole walks into a straight right hand from Scanlan.
The fighters circling - Scanlan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jab from Pole.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Pole comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pole 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Pole!