PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Surly MacConnelly (ranked 6296 p4p, 557 weight class) and Avion Lassiter (ranked 5726 p4p, 535 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.

MacConnelly
vs
Lassiter

192 cm
25
187 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Woodshins' Ship

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Surly MacConnelly!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Avion Lassiter !
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lassiter lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nice uppercut lands for MacConnelly. That snapped Lassiter 's head back.
Lassiter throws a series of punches but MacConnelly moves out of range.
Lassiter lands a jab.
MacConnelly fails to land the takedown.
A little jabbing left from Lassiter on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lassiter misses with a body kick.
MacConnelly throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lassiter counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Lassiter shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with MacConnelly but MacConnelly pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Lassiter has managed to clinch.

MacConnelly's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lassiter tries to clinch but MacConnelly is having none of it.
MacConnelly misses with a few strikes there.
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!
Lassiter slips a jab and a cross from MacConnelly.
Some wild striking there from MacConnelly.
MacConnelly fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
MacConnelly tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lassiter swivels and escapes.

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

Lassiter changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. MacConnelly looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

MacConnelly bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Surly MacConnelly seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lassiter throws the kick towards the body but MacConnelly avoids it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lassiter is defended easily by MacConnelly.
A little feinted left hand from MacConnelly on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
MacConnelly takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
MacConnelly fakes the leg kick and cracks Lassiter in the body.
Lassiter throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lassiter dodges the punch combination from MacConnelly.
MacConnelly uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lassiter .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lassiter has a takedown stuffed.
Surly MacConnelly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Avion Lassiter .

MacConnelly has Lassiter up against the cage in a clinch.
Lassiter jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as MacConnelly walks away with a smile on his face. Lassiter gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
MacConnelly misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lassiter misses the shot to the body.
Lassiter lands a slapping body shot.
MacConnelly is looking to score with low kicks.

MacConnelly looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Lassiter !
Lassiter is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but MacConnelly has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MacConnelly decides to stand up, so the ref orders Lassiter to his feet.
Lassiter tries to clinch there but MacConnelly circles away.
MacConnelly keeps the fight on the outside.
Lassiter misses with an attempted mid kick.
A nice combination there by MacConnelly.

Lassiter fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. MacConnelly sprawls well initially but Lassiter persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

MacConnelly manages to escape and get back to his feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MacConnelly moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
MacConnelly lands with a nice body punch.
Lassiter is looking to clinch but MacConnelly is avoiding it.
Lassiter dives in for a single leg takedown but MacConnelly sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Lassiter looks winded!

MacConnelly darts in and clinches Lassiter up against the cage.
Lassiter takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from MacConnelly.
Lassiter has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. MacConnelly avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Lassiter letting MacConnelly take a breather here.

MacConnelly escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
MacConnelly shoots for a takedown but Lassiter saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lassiter thows a body kick. MacConnelly tries to catch it but that hurt him.

MacConnelly clinches.

Lassiter breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Surly MacConnelly dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

MacConnelly fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lassiter manages to avoid it.
MacConnelly swings for the body but Lassiter moves out of range.
MacConnelly lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lassiter backs up against the cage.
MacConnelly lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lassiter circles away quickly and effectively.
Lassiter misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from MacConnelly.
Lassiter lands a nice hook to MacConnelly's body. MacConnelly takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
MacConnelly is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lassiter can do to turn this around?
Lassiter takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Lassiter scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

MacConnelly makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Surly MacConnelly is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lassiter catches MacConnelly with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
MacConnelly throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lassiter is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

MacConnelly gets caught napping as Lassiter dives in and scores a takedown. MacConnelly manages to retain guard.

MacConnelly pushes Lassiter off and gets back to his feet.

MacConnelly shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lassiter napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lassiter tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but MacConnelly wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacConnelly taking a break here but Lassiter is having none of it and regains half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lassiter avoiding damage under a succession of punches from MacConnelly.

MacConnelly stands up and beckons Lassiter to join him on the feet.
Lassiter throws a head kick that misses.
MacConnelly tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lassiter sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten MacConnelly somewhat.

That's two 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.
Lassiter tries to close the distance and clinch up but MacConnelly swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Lassiter gets the takedown into side control.
Lassiter throwing shots but missing, from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lassiter taking a break here but MacConnelly is having none of it and regains half guard.
Lassiter with the ground and pound but MacConnelly uses the opportunity to regain guard.

Lassiter stands up from guard. Let's bang!

MacConnelly has Lassiter up against the cage in a clinch.
MacConnelly swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacConnelly lands with a light punch inside.

MacConnelly's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lassiter fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lassiter slaps away a takedown attempt from MacConnelly, before circling back to the center of the mat.

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

MacConnelly pushes Lassiter off and gets back to his feet.
Lassiter fails to land the takedown.

Lassiter clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lassiter tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. MacConnelly smiles and moves away.
MacConnelly throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

MacConnelly scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Lassiter throws MacConnelly to one side and escapes!
Good standup being displayed there by Lassiter as he connects with a hook.
MacConnelly lands a jab.
Nice sprawl there from MacConnelly as Lassiter shoots in.
Surly MacConnelly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Avion Lassiter .

MacConnelly gets caught flat footed, as Lassiter shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

MacConnelly wriggles free and stands up.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lassiter misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
MacConnelly looks to land a combination. Lassiter sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Surly MacConnelly dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

MacConnelly clinches up with Lassiter and pushes him back against the cage.
Lassiter fails to pull guard.
Lassiter is trying to pull guard but MacConnelly turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

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

MacConnelly rushes Lassiter and presses him up against the cage.

Lassiter breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacConnelly swats away the attempt to clinch by Lassiter .

MacConnelly moves into range and clinches up with Lassiter .
MacConnelly missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lassiter breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice takedown defense from Lassiter . No joy for MacConnelly on that attempt.
Lassiter shoots in and drives through. MacConnelly sprawls well.
Surly MacConnelly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Avion Lassiter .

A momentary lapse in concentration from Lassiter enables MacConnelly to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Lassiter manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Lassiter takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lassiter wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and MacConnelly is now in half guard.
MacConnelly is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Lassiter is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lassiter avoiding damage under a succession of punches from MacConnelly.

MacConnelly postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Lassiter to stand up.
MacConnelly lands with a straight right. Lassiter didn't see that one coming.
MacConnelly misses with a double jab
and MacConnelly takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lassiter throws the left hand but MacConnelly avoids the punch easily.
MacConnelly closes the distance and clinches up with Lassiter , looking for a takedown. MacConnelly pushes Lassiter against the cage but Lassiter circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Lassiter gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Surly MacConnelly has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lassiter lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of MacConnelly backwards.
Lassiter working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacConnelly tries to stall but Lassiter uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

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

Lassiter scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
MacConnelly is holding Lassiter down, trying to stall.
Surly MacConnelly is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lassiter in side control lands a decent elbow.
Lassiter throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Lassiter in side control, throwing shots but MacConnelly defends.

Lassiter decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lassiter lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
MacConnelly shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lassiter eats them both and turns towards MacConnelly to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

MacConnelly forces Lassiter back against the cage and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lassiter is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables MacConnelly to keep the fight standing.

Lassiter escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A nice combination there by MacConnelly.

Lassiter closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
MacConnelly regains half guard, as Lassiter was trying to land strikes.

Lassiter stands up and beckons MacConnelly to join him on the feet.

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 Surly MacConnelly.
Well MacConnelly has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Saunders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Surly MacConnelly!