PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jim McNulty (ranked 2645 p4p, 273 weight class) and James Smith (ranked 3878 p4p, 370 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Jim McNulty has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Jim McNulty seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

McNulty
vs
Smith

175 cm
26
170 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jim McNulty!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Smith!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McNulty as he avoids it easily.
Smith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McNulty finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Smith darts in looking for a takedown but McNulty gets double underhooks and turns Smith into the cage.
Jim McNulty has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Smith.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts McNulty, as that shot connected.
Smith takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McNulty throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
McNulty bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A chopping leg kick lands by McNulty.
Smith sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but McNulty sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McNulty fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McNulty scores with a nice right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McNulty stalks Smith and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Smith's face. Smith staggers backwards, shaken.
McNulty buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNulty connects with a solid leg kick.
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McNulty defends it nicely.
McNulty feinted there with a counter leg kick.
McNulty is looking to slow Smith down with leg kicks.

Smith shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Smith showed some decent athleticism there.
McNulty moves into full guard.
McNulty wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McNulty has control of Smith's left arm, preventing Smith from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNulty has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McNulty with a nice cross.
McNulty throws a leg kick which misses Smith's front leg but catches the back leg as Smith tries to avoid it.
Smith walks into a left hand.
McNulty is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by McNulty.
McNulty darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNulty lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McNulty throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Smith has his takedown stuffed
letting McNulty counter with a right hand.
Smith shoots and misses
and McNulty counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - McNulty sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. McNulty tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McNulty manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

McNulty closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the cage.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McNulty pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim McNulty dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McNulty clinches with his opponent.
A right handed body shot lands from McNulty.
McNulty lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
McNulty lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for McNulty.
McNulty stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Smith tries for a takedown but McNulty manages to get underhooks.
McNulty lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
McNulty lands a body punch.
McNulty lands a body shot in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McNulty lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
McNulty cracks Smith with a nice body shot.
McNulty lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Smith is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNulty lands with a right to the head.
Still in the clinch, McNulty scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nice body punch from McNulty.
McNulty pushes Smith back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smith is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McNulty is defending well.
McNulty lands a body punch in the clinch.
McNulty lands a shot to the body.
Smith goes for a takedown attempt but McNulty pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jim McNulty has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Smith.
McNulty clobbers Smith with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

McNulty has closed the distance and engaged Smith in a clinch.
Smith wants a takedown.
McNulty working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNulty pushes Smith back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
McNulty lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice left hand lands by McNulty.
A right handed body shot lands from McNulty.
McNulty lands a body shot in the clinch.
McNulty lands with a light punch inside.
McNulty lands a body shot in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from McNulty.
McNulty lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Smith.
Jim McNulty has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McNulty working some nice short punches in the clinch.
McNulty works on Smith's body with a couple of short punches.
McNulty presses Smith against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Smith's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
McNulty lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNulty stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McNulty creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Still in the clinch, McNulty scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McNulty.
Nice body punch from McNulty - that landed with a thud.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
McNulty lands with a right to the head.
McNulty is working Smith over against the cage.
McNulty lands a shot to the body.
McNulty lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A body shot lands from McNulty.
Good body shot from McNulty.
Nice body punch from McNulty - that landed with a thud.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short left from McNulty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNulty scores with a shoulder strike.
McNulty throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smiths head.
McNulty gets through Smith's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McNulty lands a left hand.

Smith is rocked!
McNulty has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A short right from McNulty on the inside.
McNulty lands with a short shot to the head.
Smith is still on wobbly legs! Can McNulty finish him?
McNulty lands a nice shot to the body.
Smith has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McNulty avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Smith seems to have recovered his senses.
McNulty lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
McNulty lands a left hand.
McNulty lands a nice uppercut.
McNulty is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice left hand lands by McNulty.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim McNulty 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!

McNulty has taken the fight to the clinch.
McNulty lands with a short shot to the head.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
Smith changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McNulty fights it off and pushes away nicely.

McNulty has closed the distance and engaged Smith in a clinch.
McNulty is working Smith over against the cage.
McNulty works on Smith's body with a couple of short punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McNulty lands with a right to the head.
Smith is trying to drag McNulty to the mat but McNulty just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McNulty avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jim McNulty has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNulty cracks Smith with a nice body shot.
McNulty lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Smith.
Smith is trying to drag McNulty to the mat but McNulty just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A short right from McNulty.
McNulty throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
McNulty lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Smith or not.
McNulty lands with a right to the head.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McNulty pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Smith has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McNulty is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
McNulty lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
McNulty throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smiths head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNulty lands with a right to the head.
McNulty throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
McNulty presses Smith against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
McNulty lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McNulty lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
McNulty lands a shoulder strike.
McNulty makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Smith is trying to drag McNulty to the mat but McNulty just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
McNulty lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right from McNulty on the inside.
McNulty lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McNulty.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNulty lands with a light punch inside.
Smith drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McNulty gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Still in the clinch, McNulty scores with a nice short uppercut.
Smith has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McNulty is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
McNulty scores with a shoulder strike.
McNulty lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McNulty as Smith tries to tie him up.
Smith wants to take the fight to the mat but McNulty manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A hook to the body from McNulty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNulty lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
McNulty lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McNulty lands a body punch.
McNulty works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from McNulty.
McNulty lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
A shot in the inside from McNulty.
McNulty is working Smith over against the cage.
McNulty lands on the inside with an uppercut.
McNulty lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
Smith is looking for a takedown.
James Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith misses with a short punch on the inside.
McNulty lands a body punch in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim McNulty showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McNulty, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:25
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:25
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jim McNulty!
After winning the bout, Jim McNulty thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.