PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Richard McAuliffe (ranked 1751 p4p, 208 weight class) and Elvis Onyema (ranked 4352 p4p, 440 weight class). This should be fireworks!

McAuliffe
vs
Onyema

174 cm
26
157 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

168 cm
18
156 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

MMA Underwear Laundry

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Richard McAuliffe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Elvis Onyema!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Phil Schofield and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Onyema comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Onyema uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McAuliffe.
McAuliffe tries to move into range but Onyema moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A shot to the liver by McAuliffe. Beautiful body shot.

Onyema moves into range and clinches up with McAuliffe.
Onyema pushes off an throws an elbow but McAuliffe leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Onyema escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McAuliffe lands a body shot.
The fighters circling - Onyema throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

McAuliffe takes the fight into the clinch.

Onyema breaks the clinch.
Onyema avoids a punch combination nicely.
Onyema ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McAuliffe moves away.
Onyema looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McAuliffe moves forwards but Onyema connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McAuliffe's jab looks to have found its range, popping Onyema under the eye.

Onyema closes the distance and clinches.
Onyema taking a breather.
Onyema creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A short right from Onyema on the inside.
McAuliffe is trying to break the clinch but Onyema is controlling him.
Onyema lands a right hand that snaps the head of McAuliffe backwards.
McAuliffe is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Onyema to keep the fight standing.
Onyema prevents a takedown attempt there.
McAuliffe is trying to break free.
Onyema looking to slow down the pace here.
Onyema gets through McAuliffe's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Onyema unloads a knee to the mid-section.
McAuliffe throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Onyema throws a head punch that misses.
McAuliffe is working for takedown but Onyema is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard McAuliffe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Onyema scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McAuliffe takes a shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Onyema putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McAuliffe in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Onyema fails to land.
Onyema goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Onyema missing with knees to the body.
Onyema lands a hook to the side of the head.
Onyema has McAuliffe pushed against the cage.
McAuliffe blocking some punches.
McAuliffe fails to pull the fight into his guard.
McAuliffe tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Onyema smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Onyema scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Onyema misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McAuliffe.
McAuliffe throwing a counter right hand but Onyema manages to avoid it.
McAuliffe tries to bum rush Onyema with a series of wild strikes but Onyema uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McAuliffe looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Onyema moves into the clinch.

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

Onyema moves into range and clinches up with McAuliffe.
Onyema is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McAuliffe is defending well for now.
Onyema using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McAuliffe has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Onyema swings wildly with an uppercut but McAuliffe uses good head movement to avoid it.
McAuliffe has had enough of the clinch but Onyema keeps him there for the moment.
McAuliffe fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McAuliffe wants a takedown.
Onyema with a knee to the head.
Onyema lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Onyema tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Onyema scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short uppercut from Onyema.
McAuliffe being controlled against the cage.
Onyema wants to stall.
Onyema working aggressively here.
Onyema lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch on the inside from Onyema fails to land.
McAuliffe wants to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elvis Onyema dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice defenses there by Onyema.
Elvis Onyema seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Onyema throws a push kick but McAuliffe slaps the foot to one side.
Onyema tries to bum rush McAuliffe with a series of wild strikes but McAuliffe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Onyema fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McAuliffe stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Onyema misses with a looping left.
Onyema throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Onyema ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Onyema swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Onyema takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
McAuliffe takes one to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Onyema closes the distance looking to clinch
and Onyema takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Onyema throws a body punch but McAuliffe moves out of range.
Onyema has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Onyema cracks McAuliffe with a right hand to the side of the head.
McAuliffe lands with a right hand.
Onyema loads up on a big right hand but McAuliffe slips the punch.
McAuliffe lands a jab to Onyema's midsection.
Onyema misses with a body shot
and McAuliffe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Onyema throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Onyema throws a leg kick but McAuliffe sees it coming and checks it nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from McAuliffe misses the target.
Onyema moves in looking to clinch but McAuliffe pushes him off.

Onyema darts in and clinches McAuliffe up against the cage.
Onyema tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McAuliffe avoids it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Onyema.
Onyema lands a body shot.
Onyema wants to stall.
Onyema lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Onyema is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McAuliffe is defending well for now.
Onyema trying to land knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
McAuliffe managing to block the knees to the body from Onyema.
Onyema misses with an elbow strike.
McAuliffe tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Onyema smiles and moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Onyema looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

McAuliffe tries to keep at a distance but Onyema has taken the fight into the clinch.
Onyema holding his opponent close, against the cage.
McAuliffe fails to pull guard.
Onyema is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McAuliffe is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Onyema's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McAuliffe digs a good hook to Onyema's body.

Onyema closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Onyema wants to stall.
Onyema is trying to maintain a safe position but McAuliffe gets an underhook and turns Onyema into the cage.
McAuliffe goes for a takedown attempt but Onyema pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard McAuliffe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McAuliffe takes a swing at Onyema's ribcage but misses.
McAuliffe slips a jab and a cross from Onyema.
Onyema tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McAuliffe throws a big counter combination but Onyema scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
McAuliffe bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Onyema's head backwards.
McAuliffe throws a hook to the side of Onyema's head but Onyema sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Onyema tries to clinch there but McAuliffe circles away.
Onyema throws out a loose jab but McAuliffe uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McAuliffe clinches up with Onyema and pushes him back against the cage.
Onyema is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McAuliffe is defending well for now.
Onyema is trying to maintain a safe position but McAuliffe gets an underhook and turns Onyema into the cage.
Onyema blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Onyema breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Onyema misses with a left hand
and McAuliffe counters with a one-two to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Onyema bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
No joy there for McAuliffe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Onyema misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McAuliffe.
Onyema misses with an uppercut. McAuliffe saw that one coming.
Nice shot by Onyema.
Onyema swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Elvis Onyema is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McAuliffe ducks under a wild hook from Onyema.
Onyema tries to clinch up but McAuliffe circles away and keeps his distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Elvis Onyema will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Onyema lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McAuliffe circles away quickly and effectively.
McAuliffe attempts a counter takedown but Onyema avoids it well and moves away.

Onyema closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Onyema tries to land knees in the clinch but McAuliffe avoids the damage to the body.
Onyema trying to land knees to the body.

McAuliffe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Onyema walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Onyema wants to clinch.
A head kick by McAuliffe misses
enabling Onyema to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice jab there from Onyema.
McAuliffe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Onyema.
McAuliffe throws a shot from downtown. Onyema moves away and avoids it.
Onyema is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McAuliffe with a body shot.
Onyema misses with a left hand
and McAuliffe counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McAuliffe shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Onyema is trying to defend but McAuliffe finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
McAuliffe looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Onyema with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Onyema tries to kick McAuliffe off in order to stand up. McAuliffe Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

McAuliffe tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
McAuliffe slows the pace down.
McAuliffe in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McAuliffe cracks Onyema with an elbow. That is naaassty.
McAuliffe working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McAuliffe trying to control the action but Onyema is working from the bottom.
McAuliffe looks up at the clock and then as Onyema takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, McAuliffe smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
A lull in the action here as McAuliffe stalls from top position.

McAuliffe is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Onyema knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Onyema wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAuliffe looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Onyema is avoiding damage well.
Elvis Onyema is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McAuliffe has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Onyema avoids any damage from the ground and pound of McAuliffe.
McAuliffe cracks Onyema with a big right hand but Onyema just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

McAuliffe wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Onyema, who protects the arm well.

McAuliffe working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McAuliffe cracks Onyema with a big elbow.
Richard McAuliffe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

McAuliffe working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Onyema trying his best to control but McAuliffe has mounted him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Onyema tries to buck McAuliffe off so he can stand up but McAuliffe has got his back now - this could be big trouble! He's slapped on a rear naked choke that looks really tight! Onyema falls backwards, slamming McAuliffe to the mat but McAuliffe holds on tight! Onyema is forced to tap and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Richard McAuliffe!
Richard McAuliffe spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.