PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Idris Onolunose (ranked 3738 p4p, 284 weight class) and James MacLaren (ranked 3893 p4p, 298 weight class). James MacLaren has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Idris Onolunose's chin.

Onolunose
vs
MacLaren

183 cm
26
157 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

177 cm
21
158 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Idris Onolunose!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James MacLaren!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Onolunose shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as MacLaren sprawls well. MacLaren wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Onolunose gets slowly back to his feet.
Onolunose closes this distance looking for a takedown but MacLaren circles away.
Onolunose stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Onolunose wants it to stay on the feet.
MacLaren will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Onolunose dives in for a single leg takedown but MacLaren sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Idris Onolunose. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Onolunose throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around MacLaren's waist but MacLaren gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Onolunose off to one side.
Onolunose looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Onolunose looking to score a takedown here. MacLaren is defending well but Onolunose drives through and ends up in MacLaren's guard.
Onolunose in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
MacLaren is looking to stand up but Onolunose isn't so interested in that idea.
MacLaren trying to control the position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Onolunose is looking to work some ground and pound but MacLaren has wrist control.
MacLaren looking to control.
Onolunose loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacLaren working for a triangle but Onolunose defends it easily.
MacLaren has momentary wrist control but Onolunose slips an elbow through the middle.
MacLaren tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Onolunose throws an elbow that misses. MacLaren uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Onolunose's guard. Nice move by MacLaren!

MacLaren controlling from the top position.

Onolunose throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! MacLaren escapes and throws Onolunose's legs to the side, diving into side control!

MacLaren stands up and beckons Onolunose to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from MacLaren enables Onolunose to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. MacLaren manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Onolunose avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
MacLaren working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Onolunose.
MacLaren tries to land a sweep but no joy.
MacLaren preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
MacLaren is trying to control the position but Onolunose postures up.
Onolunose stopping the sweep attempt from MacLaren.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Onolunose postures up.
MacLaren utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Onolunose trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
MacLaren is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Onolunose in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Onolunose loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Onolunose avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
MacLaren is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Onolunose looking for submissions off his back.
MacLaren is keen to just control but Onolunose is a slippery customer.

Onolunose actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Onolunose looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
MacLaren wants to take a breather but Onolunose is having none of it.

Onolunose actively working from the bottom here.

Onolunose looking for submissions off his back.
MacLaren trying to control from half guard but Onolunose is working away.
MacLaren thows a huge punch but Onolunose dodges it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Onolunose blocking the ground and pound attempt from MacLaren.
MacLaren trying to control from half guard but Onolunose is working away.

Onolunose looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Idris Onolunose will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Onolunose shoots in for a double leg but MacLaren sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Onolunose shoots in and drives through. MacLaren sprawls well.
MacLaren shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Onolunose but Onolunose pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Onolunose shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as MacLaren sprawls well. MacLaren wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Onolunose gets slowly back to his feet.
MacLaren is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Idris Onolunose. That's going to take a lot out of him.

MacLaren closes the distance and clinches.
Onolunose drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
MacLaren is defending well against a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

MacLaren gets control of Onolunose's arms and successfully pulls guard. MacLaren will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
MacLaren looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
MacLaren trying to control the position here.
Onolunose in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Onolunose trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

MacLaren is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Onolunose is aware though and is defending well.
MacLaren trying to keep a closed guard but Onolunose is proving a slippery customer.
Onolunose postures up in MacLaren's guard and throws a big left but MacLaren blocks it.
MacLaren trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Onolunose scoring with punches to the head and body.
Onolunose with a flurry of punches that miss.
Onolunose working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

MacLaren working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Onolunose doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Onolunose manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Onolunose throws an elbow that misses. MacLaren uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Onolunose's guard. Nice move by MacLaren!

Onolunose keeping moving, preventing MacLaren from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

MacLaren avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
MacLaren wanted to stand there but Onolunose had control of the position.
MacLaren throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
MacLaren wants to control from the top but Onolunose keeps moving.
MacLaren wants to stand but Onolunose is controlling his posture from full guard.
Onolunose keeping moving, preventing MacLaren from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Onolunose escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. MacLaren gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
MacLaren wants to stand but Onolunose has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
MacLaren controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
MacLaren tries to score a power double leg takedown but Onolunose sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten MacLaren somewhat.
Onolunose shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. MacLaren defends it nicely.
Onolunose shoots in for a takedown but MacLaren shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
MacLaren keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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.
Onolunose fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but MacLaren avoids it really well and circles away.
Onolunose defends well against a solid takedown attempt from MacLaren.

Onolunose throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. MacLaren was covering up waiting for the punch and Onolunose finishes the takedown easily into guard.
MacLaren has control of Onolunose's left arm, preventing Onolunose from doing any damage.
MacLaren is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

MacLaren missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Onolunose tries to roll over but MacLaren keeps him under control.
MacLaren content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James MacLaren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Onolunose looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Onolunose loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
MacLaren preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Onolunose trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
MacLaren wants to get back to his feet but Onolunose is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Onolunose postures up in MacLaren's guard and throws a big left but MacLaren blocks it.
Onolunose in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

MacLaren has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Onolunose is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
MacLaren prevents a takedown attempt there.
MacLaren taking a breather.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as MacLaren takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Onolunose is looking for a takedown.

MacLaren gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Onolunose on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Onolunose tries to get out of the position.

Onolunose actively working from the bottom here.

Onolunose actively working from the bottom here.
MacLaren wants to stand but Onolunose has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Onolunose looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Onolunose actively working from the bottom here.
Onolunose keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacLaren wants to control but Onolunose is keeping him busy.
Onolunose is in trouble now - MacLaren has advanced to mount!
Onolunose in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Onolunose tries to reverse the position but MacLaren maintains control.
MacLaren takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
MacLaren looking to finish with strikes here!
MacLaren content just to control the position here.
MacLaren trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Onolunose tries to reverse the position but MacLaren maintains control.
MacLaren controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Onolunose is desperately trying to improve his position but MacLaren has a good base and remains in mount.
MacLaren looking to control but Onolunose is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
MacLaren looking to ground and pound but Onolunose is blocking nicely.
MacLaren controlling from the full mount.
Onolunose can't escape the position.
The referee warns Onolunose that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
James MacLaren has got the better of the ground game so far.
Onolunose tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The referee warns Onolunose that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Onolunose is squirming around, avoiding MacLaren's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacLaren might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Onolunose haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Onolunose wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by MacLaren.
MacLaren sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Onolunose is in all sorts of trouble here.
MacLaren has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

MacLaren looking to secure an arm triangle but Onolunose defends it well.
Onolunose gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
James MacLaren comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well MacLaren has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 28:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James MacLaren!
An out of breath James MacLaren thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.