PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rama Arjuna (ranked 253 p4p, 37 weight class) and Cletus McDonald (ranked 990 p4p, 126 weight class). Arjuna's entrance music is Om. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying McDonald 's choice of entrance music: Merle Haggard - Okie From Muskogee. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Arjuna
vs
McDonald

185 cm
38
194 lbs
37 - 19 - 0

184 cm
30
190 lbs
17 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rama Arjuna!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cletus McDonald !
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonald connects with a body shot.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Arjuna enables McDonald to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Arjuna manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
McDonald loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McDonald being controlled here momentarily.
Arjuna is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Arjuna has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells McDonald 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Arjuna trying to control the position here.
McDonald scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arjuna managing to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald with a nice head shot there.
McDonald scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Arjuna is pulling down on McDonald 's head to control his posture.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw McDonald working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
McDonald scoring with some ground and pound.
Arjuna wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Arjuna is trying to keep McDonald in close.
Arjuna controlling the position.
McDonald has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McDonald lands a couple of digs.
Arjuna controls McDonald momentarily but McDonald frees himself.
McDonald being controlled here momentarily.
McDonald looking to pass the guard.
McDonald scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands a couple of elbows.
McDonald with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
McDonald chips away with some ground and pound.
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Arjuna is keeping the position.
Arjuna trying to control the position.
McDonald is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Arjuna is trying to control the position but McDonald postures up.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells McDonald 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
McDonald makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arjuna looking to control.
McDonald landing some decent shots from guard.
McDonald is in close to Arjuna's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Arjuna is rocked!
McDonald postures up.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Arjuna manages to escape and get back to his feet.
McDonald scores with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arjuna throws a chopping leg kick but McDonald manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A nice inside leg kick there by McDonald . That's going to slow Arjuna down.
McDonald tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McDonald tests Arjuna's chin there with a solid looking shot.
McDonald just misses with a punch to the body.
A quick step to the side and Arjuna tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
McDonald lands a nice looking body kick.
Arjuna looks to score with a jab to the body but McDonald is just out of range.
We've been told by Arjuna's head coaches at Temple of Illumination that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Arjuna lands a right hook to the body.
Arjuna tries to close the distance and clinch but McDonald swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McDonald throws a leg kick that is checked
and Arjuna counters with a series of strikes. McDonald will be more careful next time no doubt.
McDonald jabs at Arjuna's body.
Arjuna misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cletus McDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arjuna throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Arjuna crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from McDonald - the referee stops the clock and Arjuna gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says McDonald . Arjuna manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Arjuna scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Arjuna scores with a shot to the body.
Arjuna waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McDonald .
Arjuna is looking to wear down McDonald with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McDonald comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Arjuna displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McDonald .

McDonald clinches with his opponent.
McDonald is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Arjuna pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rama Arjuna has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cletus McDonald .
McDonald tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McDonald blocks a body shot from Arjuna.
McDonald lands with a light punch inside.
Arjuna blocking some punches.
Nice body punch from McDonald - that landed with a thud.
Arjuna is looking to control McDonald 's arms but McDonald gets an underhook and turns him. Now Arjuna has his back to the cage.

McDonald breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McDonald lands the left hand.
McDonald connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
McDonald staying out of range there.
McDonald misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Arjuna lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McDonald , right into the meat.
McDonald throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Arjuna throws a body punch but McDonald moves out of range.
McDonald showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Arjuna.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McDonald ! But no joy.
Arjuna avoids a punch combination nicely.
McDonald tries to clinch but Arjuna moves out of range.
A slow jab from McDonald misses its intended target.
Arjuna throws a sloppy head kick
and McDonald counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Arjuna but Arjuna pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Arjuna was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McDonald has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald fails to land the takedown.
McDonald pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Arjuna throws a series of strikes that have McDonald backpedaling.
Arjuna lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Arjuna blocks the low kick.
A left and a right from Arjuna both land. Nice combination.
Arjuna tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McDonald was well out of range. Poor timing from Arjuna.
Arjuna tries to close the distance and clinch up but McDonald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McDonald looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
McDonald staying out of range there.
Donk. McDonald catches Arjuna right on the button with a cross.
A solid body kick from McDonald .
Arjuna throws a low kick but McDonald moves out of range easily.
A kick lands to the mid section there for McDonald .
Arjuna drops his hands momentarily and McDonald takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Arjuna turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rama Arjuna is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Arjuna is looking to clinch but McDonald is avoiding it.
McDonald throws the kick towards the body but Arjuna avoids it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonald misses with a takedown attempt - Arjuna sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rama Arjuna has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cletus McDonald .
McDonald fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald scores with a crisp jab that stopped Arjuna in his tracks.
Danga de danga de dang - Arjuna scores with a four punch combination!
McDonald throws a body kick that misses.
Arjuna stuffs the takedown attempt from McDonald . McDonald gets slowly back to his feet.
Arjuna keeps the fight on the outside.
McDonald missing with a left hand there. Arjuna was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A head kick misses from Arjuna.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Arjuna.
Cletus McDonald seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Arjuna lands with a kick to the ribs.
McDonald throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Arjuna misses the shot to the body.
McDonald avoids a kick to the body.
McDonald showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Arjuna.
Arjuna scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald dives in and scores a takedown into Arjuna's guard.

Arjuna has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. McDonald has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
McDonald swings wildly with an uppercut but Arjuna uses good head movement to avoid it.
McDonald working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
McDonald scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McDonald blocks a body shot from Arjuna.
McDonald softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Arjuna scores with a shot to the side of McDonald 's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonald tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arjuna's elbow.
Arjuna blocking some punches.
McDonald lands an uppercut.
McDonald misses with a punch on the inside.
McDonald tries to throw a body punch but Arjuna avoids it by throwing McDonald back against the cage.
McDonald tries to throw a body punch but Arjuna avoids it by throwing McDonald back against the cage.
McDonald drops down looking for an ankle pick but Arjuna pulls his leg out and moves away.
McDonald swats away the attempt to clinch by Arjuna.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A head kick misses from McDonald .
Arjuna looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Arjuna misses the shot to the body.
Arjuna swings away with a leg kick that misses.
McDonald lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McDonald goes for a double leg but Arjuna avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Arjuna continues to drive forward.
Nice body kick from McDonald .
Arjuna connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Arjuna misses the shot to the body.
Arjuna steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McDonald .
McDonald lands a nice shot that snaps Arjuna's head back.
McDonald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arjuna manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Arjuna misses with a low kick as McDonald jumps back.
McDonald misses with a kick to the body.
Rama Arjuna is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDonald shoots in for a double leg but Arjuna sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
McDonald lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
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 Rama Arjuna will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McDonald wants to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McDonald is defended easily by Arjuna.
A looping hook to the body misses from Arjuna. McDonald does a little dance to reset his feet.

McDonald takes the fight into the clinch.
McDonald is trying to break the clinch but Arjuna has him pressed against the cage.

Arjuna's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Arjuna takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arjuna throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Arjuna slips under a jab from McDonald .
Arjuna throws a leg kick which misses McDonald 's front leg but catches the back leg as McDonald tries to avoid it.
McDonald dives in for a single leg takedown but Arjuna sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
McDonald swats away the attempt to clinch by Arjuna.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald throws a body shot but no joy.
McDonald throws a sloppy head kick and Arjuna moves out of range easily.
Arjuna lands a lovely overhand right.
Arjuna loads up on a big right hand but McDonald slips the punch.
McDonald fails in his attempt to clinch.
Arjuna lands with a shot to the body.
Arjuna throws a body punch but McDonald moves out of range.
Arjuna pushes McDonald away with a front kick.
McDonald misses the body punch
and Arjuna counters with a nice body kick.
McDonald just misses with a punch to the body.
Arjuna blocks a jab.
McDonald throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Arjuna moves away from the strike by McDonald .
Arjuna misses with a straight left.
McDonald jabs at Arjuna's body.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch but Arjuna swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McDonald throws a poor cross that misses
and Arjuna counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arjuna moves out of range as McDonald throws a body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arjuna goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
McDonald throws out a counter right but Arjuna avoids it with no problem.
Arjuna throws a series of punches but McDonald avoids them all with ease.
Arjuna looks to score with a jab to the body but McDonald is just out of range.
Arjuna takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Arjuna misses with a telegraphed body shot
and McDonald counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Arjuna thinking.
Arjuna throws a right hand that McDonald ducks under and follows up with a left that McDonald also avoids with ease.
McDonald wants to counter the offense by Arjuna and move into the clinch position.
McDonald throws a sloppy head kick and Arjuna moves out of range easily.
McDonald looks to land a left hand but Arjuna moved out of range nicely.
McDonald lands with a good body shot.
No joy there for Arjuna, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

McDonald instigates a clinch.
McDonald lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
McDonald lands a right hand.
Arjuna blocks an uppercut.
Arjuna tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald tries to break free but Arjuna pushes him back against the cage.

McDonald has picked Arjuna up - he's going for a ride! McDonald dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
McDonald drops an elbow to the side of Arjuna's head.
McDonald throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Arjuna has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McDonald is working away from the top position though.
McDonald stops Arjuna from getting back to his feet.
Arjuna is trying to defend against the ground and pound but McDonald scores with a couple of nice shots.
McDonald throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Arjuna is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of McDonald 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take McDonald 's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arjuna tries to get the hooks in deep but McDonald pushed the leg off.
Arjuna controlling from the back.
McDonald breaks Arjuna's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arjuna pulls McDonald in close to his closed guard and prevents McDonald from doing any damage or advancing position.
McDonald postures up and lands a big shot to Arjuna's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arjuna working a defensive guard here.
McDonald content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Arjuna preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McDonald lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Arjuna has his hands on McDonald 's head, controlling the position.
Arjuna avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Arjuna avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cletus McDonald has got the better of the ground game so far.
Arjuna pulls McDonald in to control the position.
McDonald scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Arjuna wants to stand and escape but McDonald is having none of it.
McDonald is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McDonald is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Arjuna has control of McDonald 's left arm, preventing McDonald from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cletus McDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McDonald has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

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