PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight kickboxing rules bout between Sigurd Ragnarsson (ranked 4078 p4p, 437 weight class) and Cory McDonnell (ranked 17482 p4p, 549 weight class). Ragnarsson's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Wardruna-Blood Eagle. McDonnell is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Jorge Quintero - 300 Violin Orchestra. 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.

Ragnarsson
vs
McDonnell

191 cm
37
182 lbs
23 - 13 - 2

183 cm
33
185 lbs
29 - 16 - 2

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

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 23 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sigurd Ragnarsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cory McDonnell!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Felipe Paraventi and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonnell misses with a hook. Ragnarsson ducked under it nicely.
McDonnell has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ragnarsson finds it's way round the side to connect with McDonnell's head.
Ragnarsson scores with the left hand. McDonnell knows he should have avoided that one.
McDonnell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ragnarsson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
McDonnell walks into a left hand.
Ragnarsson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Ragnarsson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McDonnell connects with a crisp jab.
McDonnell throws a body shot but no joy.
McDonnell connects with an inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ragnarsson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McDonnell.
Ragnarsson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jab by Ragnarsson.
McDonnell defending well as Ragnarsson loads up on a big left hand.
Ragnarsson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ragnarsson throws a hook to the side of McDonnell's head but McDonnell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ragnarsson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ragnarsson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McDonnell missing with a left hand there. Ragnarsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice uppercut there from McDonnell.
Ragnarsson moves forwards but McDonnell connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Ragnarsson. Those never looked like landing.
Ragnarsson looks to land a right hand but McDonnell moved out of range.
Ragnarsson misses with a head kick.
McDonnell throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ragnarsson on the side of the head.
Ragnarsson throws a shot from downtown. McDonnell moves away and avoids it.
Good work by Ragnarsson as he checks the leg kick.
Ragnarsson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McDonnell.
Ragnarsson misses the jab.
Cory McDonnell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ragnarsson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ragnarsson misses the jab.
McDonnell lands with a nice body punch.
McDonnell tries to bum rush Ragnarsson with a series of wild strikes but Ragnarsson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ragnarsson throws a leg kick but McDonnell sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ragnarsson dips to his left and cracks McDonnell with an uppercut!
McDonnell connects with a solid leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ragnarsson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McDonnell.
McDonnell scores with a jab to the head.
Ragnarsson slips a jab from McDonnell.
A little feinted left hand from Ragnarsson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McDonnell misses with a wild body shot.
McDonnell scoring well with a low kick there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson motions for McDonnell to come forward. Ragnarsson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ragnarsson throws out a loose jab but McDonnell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ragnarsson lands with a nice combination. McDonnell backs away looking to recover.
A punch combination from Ragnarsson misses.
McDonnell throws a body kick that misses
and Ragnarsson counters with a straight right hand.
Ragnarsson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
McDonnell blocks a head kick by Ragnarsson.
McDonnell misses with a body shot.
Ragnarsson throws a leg kick that misses.
McDonnell feints a counter leg kick.
McDonnell checks the leg kick nicely there.
An inside leg kick from Ragnarsson misses.
Ragnarsson looks to land a left hand but McDonnell moved out of range nicely.
Ragnarsson moves forwards but McDonnell connects with a nice, crisp jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonnell throws a hook but Ragnarsson blocks it.
Ragnarsson scores with a nice right hand.
Ragnarsson throws a hook but McDonnell blocks it.
Ragnarsson tries a head kick but it misses.
Ragnarsson throws a leg kick but McDonnell checks it.
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 Sigurd Ragnarsson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McDonnell scores with a jab. Ragnarsson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ragnarsson looks to land a left hand but McDonnell moved out of range nicely.
McDonnell has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Ragnarsson misses with a wild combination.
McDonnell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McDonnell throws a lazy right hand but Ragnarsson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ragnarsson tries to score with a low kick but McDonnell moves his leg out of the way.
McDonnell fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ragnarsson checks it well.
McDonnell rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McDonnell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ragnarsson lands a two punch combo.
Ragnarsson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ragnarsson defending well as McDonnell loads up on a big left hand.
Ragnarsson misses with a wild combination.
McDonnell appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ragnarsson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sigurd Ragnarsson is winning the standup battle so far.
McDonnell misses with a looping left.
Ragnarsson blocks a jab.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ragnarsson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from McDonnell - the referee stops the clock and Ragnarsson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says McDonnell. Ragnarsson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A swing and a miss from McDonnell.
Ragnarsson avoids the body shot from McDonnell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from McDonnell lands.
McDonnell goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ragnarsson moves out of range as McDonnell strikes.
McDonnell stuns Ragnarsson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ragnarsson's corner calls for a 1-2. Ragnarsson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
McDonnell scores with a hook to the body. Ragnarsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
McDonnell misses with a low kick.
Ragnarsson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
McDonnell is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ragnarsson.
McDonnell with a hook.
McDonnell dodges the punch combination from Ragnarsson.
McDonnell throws the left hand but Ragnarsson avoids the punch easily.
McDonnell throws a push kick but Ragnarsson slaps the foot to one side.
McDonnell takes one to the side of the head.
McDonnell scores with a body shot.
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!
McDonnell cracks Ragnarsson with a right hand to the side of the head.
McDonnell misses with a head kick.
McDonnell misses with a telegraphed body shot
and McDonnell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ragnarsson moves out of range of the leg kick from McDonnell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson throws a quick inside leg kick.
McDonnell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McDonnell connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ragnarsson's hands.
McDonnell bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nice defenses there by McDonnell.
McDonnell flicks out a counter leg kick but Ragnarsson steps away.
A bone on bone clash there as Ragnarsson blocks the leg kick.
McDonnell blocks a jab.
Ragnarsson moves away from the strike by McDonnell.
Ragnarsson throwing a counter right hand but McDonnell manages to avoid it.
Ragnarsson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McDonnell.
McDonnell walks into a jab.
Ragnarsson misses with a double jab.
Ragnarsson needs to keep his hands up - McDonnell had a free shot at his head there.
McDonnell throws a hook but Ragnarsson avoids it easily.
Ragnarsson throwing a counter right hand but McDonnell manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDonnell lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
McDonnell throws a lazy uppercut
and Ragnarsson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A big left from McDonnell misses.
McDonnell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Ragnarsson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cory McDonnell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

A jab lands there for McDonnell.
McDonnell lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ragnarsson takes a step back to recover.
Ragnarsson moves out of range as McDonnell strikes.
McDonnell moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

McDonnell gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ragnarsson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McDonnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ragnarsson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McDonnell's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short left from McDonnell.
McDonnell blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
McDonnell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good body shot from McDonnell.
McDonnell tries to throw a body punch but Ragnarsson avoids it by throwing McDonnell back against the ropes.
Still in the clinch, McDonnell scores with a nice short uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!

McDonnell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McDonnell pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
McDonnell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McDonnell throws a hook to the side of Ragnarsson's head but Ragnarsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McDonnell misses with an uppercut
and Ragnarsson counters with a nice low kick that buckles McDonnell's knee momentarily.
McDonnell ducks under a wild hook from Ragnarsson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonnell misses with a head kick.
Ragnarsson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ragnarsson cracks McDonnell with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ragnarsson scores with a jab. McDonnell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
McDonnell throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
McDonnell throws an overhand right that lands on Ragnarsson's shoulder, as Ragnarsson tries to avoid the shot.
McDonnell lands with a thumping leg kick.
McDonnell punishes Ragnarsson's body with a nice straight punch.
McDonnell throws a head kick that misses.
Ragnarsson tried to counter with a leg kick but McDonnell avoided it.
Ragnarsson blocks a leg kick.
Ragnarsson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
McDonnell throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
McDonnell throws a looping overhand right but Ragnarsson ducks down to avoid it.
Ragnarsson slips a jab from McDonnell.
McDonnell checks the leg kick nicely there.
McDonnell looks to land a combination but Ragnarsson avoids it well.
Ragnarsson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McDonnell looks to score with a jab to the body but Ragnarsson is just out of range.
McDonnell cracks a nice hook into Ragnarsson's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Ragnarsson lands an impressive looking overhand right. McDonnell doesn't seem phased though.
Ragnarsson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
McDonnell slips under a jab from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ragnarsson swats away the attempt to clinch by McDonnell.
McDonnell ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McDonnell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ragnarsson was well out of range. Poor timing from McDonnell.
Ragnarsson cracks McDonnell with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ragnarsson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McDonnell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McDonnell listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ragnarsson throws a quick inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDonnell throws a jab but it's blocked by Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ragnarsson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McDonnell misses the jab.
A jab from Ragnarsson misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cory McDonnell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McDonnell 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cory McDonnell!
A relieved looking Cory McDonnell thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.