PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dvornoy Alkash (ranked 2541 p4p, 241 weight class) and Baeddan MacAuliffe (ranked 2953 p4p, 270 weight class). MacAuliffe comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Notorious by Duran Duran kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Baeddan MacAuliffe acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Alkash
vs
MacAuliffe

165 cm
26
150 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

175 cm
37
159 lbs
18 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dvornoy Alkash!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Baeddan MacAuliffe!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alkash closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming MacAuliffe to the mat! MacAuliffe manages to get full guard.
Alkash throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Alkash slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Alkash wants to control from the top but MacAuliffe keeps moving.
Alkash passes easily into side control. Nice work.
MacAuliffe is not content to let Alkash control the position.
MacAuliffe tries to control but Alkash manages to take his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacAuliffe is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
MacAuliffe prevents Alkash from getting a body triangle.
MacAuliffe tries to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alkash tries to keep control of the position but MacAuliffe is staying busy.

Alkash working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Alkash trying to control.
MacAuliffe can't escape the position.
MacAuliffe manages to reverse the position and now he's in Alkash's guard. Nice work there by MacAuliffe.

Alkash escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. MacAuliffe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Alkash is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. MacAuliffe is aware though and is defending well.
MacAuliffe won't allow Alkash to sweep him here.
Alkash is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at MONEY TEAM!!! that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe wants to control from the top but Alkash keeps moving.
Alkash tries to land a sweep but no joy.
MacAuliffe works over Alkash with some ground and pound from guard.
Alkash trying to keep a closed guard but MacAuliffe is proving a slippery customer.
MacAuliffe trying to control but Alkash is working from the bottom.
MacAuliffe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
MacAuliffe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Alkash working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. MacAuliffe doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. MacAuliffe manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
MacAuliffe landing with the ground and pound.

Alkash escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. MacAuliffe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe connects with a couple of short punches.
MacAuliffe looking to pass the guard.

Alkash had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. MacAuliffe defends it easily.
MacAuliffe sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Alkash's guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Alkash manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Alkash is looking for a triangle but MacAuliffe pushes his legs off easily.
Alkash wants to stand and escape but MacAuliffe is having none of it.
MacAuliffe trying to control but Alkash is working from the bottom.
Alkash has momentary wrist control but MacAuliffe slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alkash is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
MacAuliffe landing with the ground and pound.
MacAuliffe distracts Alkash with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Alkash tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Alkash looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
MacAuliffe trying to control but Alkash is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
MacAuliffe is pushing down on Alkash's leg trying to pass to half guard. Alkash is fighting to maintain full guard but MacAuliffe has managed to sneak the leg through.
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 Dvornoy Alkash will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Alkash is looking to clinch but MacAuliffe is avoiding it.
A head kick misses from MacAuliffe.

Alkash gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Alkash throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Alkash fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Alkash jumps guard.
Alkash looking to hit a scissor sweep but MacAuliffe is one step ahead there.
MacAuliffe lands a couple of decent looking shots.
MacAuliffe preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alkash is pulling down on MacAuliffe's head to control his posture.
MacAuliffe passes Alkash's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Alkash manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacAuliffe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Alkash is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Alkash is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and MacAuliffe defends well.
MacAuliffe with a nice head shot there.
Alkash working a defensive guard here.
MacAuliffe landing some decent shots from guard.
Alkash trying to control the position.

Alkash looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
MacAuliffe looking to pass the guard.

Alkash looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Alkash looking to control.

Alkash throws his legs up looking for a submission but MacAuliffe uses it to pass to side control.

MacAuliffe swings around for an armbar but Alkash sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into MacAuliffe's guard.
MacAuliffe is trying to keep Alkash in close.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now MacAuliffe is on top in guard.

Alkash looking to hit a scissor sweep but MacAuliffe is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alkash is looking for a triangle but MacAuliffe pushes his legs off easily.
MacAuliffe trying to control but Alkash is working from the bottom.

Alkash throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! MacAuliffe escapes and throws Alkash's legs to the side, diving into side control!
MacAuliffe takes a little break here. Alkash wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
MacAuliffe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Alkash is looking to regain half guard here but MacAuliffe keeps moving and retains side control.
Alkash sneaks back into half guard.
MacAuliffe winds up and cracks Alkash with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MacAuliffe is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
MacAuliffe is trying to control the action in half guard but Alkash is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Alkash tries to get to full guard but MacAuliffe has control of the leg.
Alkash is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of MacAuliffe's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take MacAuliffe's back!
MacAuliffe wants to control his opponent's hands but Alkash gets his hands free.

Alkash is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. MacAuliffe defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
MacAuliffe tries to roll but Alkash sticks to his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Alkash is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. MacAuliffe is defending well though. Alkash let's go of the attempt for now.

Alkash is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. MacAuliffe knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften MacAuliffe for a finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dvornoy Alkash will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Alkash closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. MacAuliffe did well to prevent Alkash getting side control.

Alkash is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. MacAuliffe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Alkash.

Alkash is looking for a kimura but MacAuliffe is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Alkash to get the leverage.

Alkash is working for a submission of some sort.
Alkash missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alkash throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
MacAuliffe works his way to full guard. Good work.
MacAuliffe controlling Alkash's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacAuliffe looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
MacAuliffe looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Alkash trying to control but MacAuliffe is working from the bottom.

MacAuliffe has his foot on Alkash's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Alkash works his way back into a safe position though.
Alkash not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Alkash trying to control but MacAuliffe is working from the bottom.
MacAuliffe is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

MacAuliffe is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alkash defends well.

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.
Alkash trying to control but MacAuliffe is working from the bottom.
MacAuliffe is trying to control the position but Alkash postures up.
MacAuliffe looking for a sweep. Not yet MacAuliffe, not yet.
Alkash wants to pass the guard but MacAuliffe is keeping the position.

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

Alkash tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
MacAuliffe is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Alkash seems to be working for a kimura but MacAuliffe defends the submission attempt.

Alkash is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, MacAuliffe has managed to free his arm - good work.
Alkash trying to control from half guard but MacAuliffe is working away.
MacAuliffe is trying to get back to full guard.
MacAuliffe tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
MacAuliffe taking some punishment here, with Alkash in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Alkash is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but MacAuliffe still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, MacAuliffe has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Alkash is trying to control MacAuliffe's posture but MacAuliffe avoids it.
Alkash tries to buck MacAuliffe off but MacAuliffe is having none of it.

Alkash explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Alkash shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Alkash is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so MacAuliffe is just riding it out for now. Alkash eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MacAuliffe is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Alkash's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Alkash's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dvornoy Alkash clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

MacAuliffe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alkash moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dvornoy Alkash is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Alkash.
MacAuliffe is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Alkash's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Alkash wants to lay and pray for a moment but MacAuliffe keeps working.
MacAuliffe is looking to control Alkash's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can MacAuliffe avoid being mounted?
Alkash looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks MacAuliffe with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Dvornoy Alkash overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
MacAuliffe moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alkash controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Alkash trying to control but MacAuliffe is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacAuliffe looking for a guillotine here but Alkash defends easily.
MacAuliffe throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Alkash wants to control from the top but MacAuliffe keeps moving.

Alkash got a little sloppy there for a moment and MacAuliffe has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Alkash has managed to get both his arms back between MacAuliffe's legs - danger averted.
MacAuliffe keeping moving, preventing Alkash from controlling successfully.
Alkash throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as MacAuliffe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
MacAuliffe lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Alkash is looking to cinch up a triangle. MacAuliffe throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Alkash's body to avoid the submission. Alkash has instead reached around MacAuliffe's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Alkash arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Dvornoy Alkash!
Dvornoy Alkash is the new featherweight champion!