PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight kickboxing rules bout between Cory McDonnell (ranked 17108 p4p, 565 weight class) and Alex Stefanovic (ranked 3326 p4p, 364 weight class). McDonnell comes into the arena with Jorge Quintero - 300 Violin Orchestra blaring out of the sound system. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

McDonnell
vs
Stefanovic

183 cm
34
185 lbs
30 - 16 - 2

180 cm
30
184 lbs
13 - 8 - 3

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cory McDonnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Stefanovic!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stefanovic throws a body punch but McDonnell moves out of range.
Stefanovic connects with a leg kick. McDonnell looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
McDonnell moves in looking to clinch but Stefanovic pushes him off.
Stefanovic chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McDonnell can pounce on him.
McDonnell ducks under a wild hook from Stefanovic.
McDonnell throws a head kick but Stefanovic moves out of range.
Stefanovic with a jab.
A big left from Stefanovic misses.
McDonnell keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Stefanovic throws a nice looking combination but McDonnell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stefanovic moves forwards but McDonnell connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Stefanovic misses with a few strikes there.
Stefanovic throws a front kick aimed at McDonnell's knee but McDonnell avoids it well.
Stefanovic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
McDonnell slips under a jab from Stefanovic.
McDonnell tries to land a front kick but Stefanovic steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McDonnell throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
McDonnell blocks a leg kick.
McDonnell looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
McDonnell gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Stefanovic getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stefanovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McDonnell connects with a solid leg kick.
A left and a right from Stefanovic both land. Nice combination.
Some bone on bone action there as Stefanovic checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Stefanovic moves into the clinch.
Stefanovic scores with a nice hook to the head.

Stefanovic breaks from the clinch.
McDonnell has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McDonnell lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stefanovic has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stefanovic and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
McDonnell throws a chopping leg kick but Stefanovic manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
McDonnell slips under a jab from Stefanovic.
McDonnell throws a solid leg kick but Stefanovic takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McDonnell.

McDonnell has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stefanovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stefanovic misses with a punch on the inside.
McDonnell misses with a punch on the inside.
Stefanovic creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stefanovic managing to block the knees to the body from McDonnell.
Stefanovic dodges an elbow strike from McDonnell.
Still in the clinch, McDonnell scores with a nice short uppercut.
McDonnell takes an elbow to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McDonnell blocks an uppercut.
McDonnell tries to land knees in the clinch but Stefanovic avoids the damage to the body.
McDonnell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McDonnell pushes Stefanovic back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
McDonnell throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stefanovics head.
Stefanovic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McDonnell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stefanovic softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
McDonnell lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Stefanovic lands a hook that snaps the head of McDonnell backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Stefanovic fails to land.
Stefanovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McDonnell's elbow.
McDonnell working aggressively here.
McDonnell lands a body shot in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDonnell is working Stefanovic over against the ropes.
McDonnell lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stefanovic backwards.
Stefanovic tries to work over McDonnell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McDonnell working aggressively here.
Stefanovic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alex Stefanovic will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

McDonnell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McDonnell throws a jab but it's blocked by Stefanovic.
Stefanovic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McDonnell.
Stefanovic looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Stefanovic throws a shot to the body.
McDonnell swats away the attempt to clinch by Stefanovic.
McDonnell tries to land a front kick but Stefanovic steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Stefanovic looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice straight punches there by Stefanovic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stefanovic.
Stefanovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As Stefanovic backs away, McDonnell returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Stefanovic stalks McDonnell and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McDonnell's face. McDonnell staggers backwards, shaken.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good leg kick by McDonnell there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
McDonnell throws a head kick but Stefanovic moves out of range.
McDonnell is looking to score with low kicks.
McDonnell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stefanovic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McDonnell.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McDonnell throws a chopping leg kick but Stefanovic manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Stefanovic thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stefanovic avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stefanovic blocks a head kick by McDonnell.
McDonnell throws a head kick that Stefanovic semi-blocks.
A leg kick checked by Stefanovic.
Stefanovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stefanovic smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Stefanovic looks to land a right hand but McDonnell moved out of range.
McDonnell is looking to land body kicks.
McDonnell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stefanovic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McDonnell throws a head kick that misses.
Stefanovic walks into a jab.
McDonnell connects with a single shot there.
Stefanovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

McDonnell has taken the fight to the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McDonnell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stefanovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stefanovic breaks from the clinch.
Stefanovic misses with a wild body shot.
McDonnell connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
McDonnell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

McDonnell gets tackled into the ropes by Stefanovic. Stefanovic maintains the clinch.
McDonnell scores with a shoulder strike.
McDonnell misses with a knee strike.
A left hand lands to the body for McDonnell.
Stefanovic is trying to force a seperation but McDonnell has the dominant position.

Stefanovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stefanovic throws a hook but McDonnell blocks it.
Stefanovic lands with a shot to the body.
Stefanovic throws a shot from downtown. McDonnell moves away and avoids it.
McDonnell lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Stefanovic throws a low kick but McDonnell moves out of range easily.
Stefanovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McDonnell avoids the body shot from Stefanovic.
Stefanovic thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on McDonnell if he has to take too many more of those.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stefanovic connects with a body shot.
McDonnell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stefanovic throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alex Stefanovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stefanovic misses the body punch
and McDonnell counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Alex Stefanovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stefanovic throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McDonnell on the side of the head.
Stefanovic takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Stefanovic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McDonnell was well out of range. Poor timing from Stefanovic.
McDonnell is looking to counter with a body kick.
McDonnell connects with a looping right hand.
McDonnell lands with a nice body kick.
McDonnell thumps Stefanovic with a low kick.
Stefanovic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McDonnell.
Stefanovic throws out a loose jab but McDonnell uses good head movement to avoid it.
McDonnell scoring well with a low kick there.
A jab from McDonnell misses.
A combination from Stefanovic does no damage.
McDonnell pushes Stefanovic away with a front kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McDonnell throws a low kick but it's checked well by Stefanovic.
McDonnell backing away here, and Stefanovic unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
McDonnell defending well as Stefanovic loads up on a big left hand.
McDonnell throws a combination. Stefanovic tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
McDonnell takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stefanovic wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid body kick from McDonnell.
McDonnell throws a leg kick but Stefanovic moved away.
McDonnell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McDonnell staying out of range there.
McDonnell checks a leg kick.
McDonnell moves out of range as Stefanovic strikes.
McDonnell connects with a solid leg kick.
Stefanovic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McDonnell lands a really nice looking cross but Stefanovic seems unphased.
McDonnell throws a big shot that misses.
Stefanovic's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Stefanovic swings for the body but McDonnell moves out of range.
McDonnell is looking to counter punch.
Stefanovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McDonnell throwing a counter right hand but Stefanovic manages to avoid it.
Stefanovic swings widly with a right hand
and McDonnell counters with a good low kick that Stefanovic was not able to check.
Stefanovic throws a hook to the side of McDonnell's head but McDonnell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stefanovic throws an off balance right hand
and McDonnell counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Stefanovic is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for McDonnell.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stefanovic tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Stefanovic fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Donk. McDonnell catches Stefanovic right on the button with a cross.
Stefanovic throws a poor cross that misses
and McDonnell counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Stefanovic misses with an uppercut
and McDonnell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A clash of legs there as Stefanovic blocks the low kick.
McDonnell dodges the punch combination from Stefanovic.
Stefanovic tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Stefanovic blocks a low kick nicely.
McDonnell gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stefanovic lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stefanovic takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stefanovic closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
McDonnell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stefanovic was well out of range. Poor timing from McDonnell.
Stefanovic is looking for the big counter here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cory McDonnell clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Stefanovic looks to throw the jab but McDonnell is out of range.
Stefanovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McDonnell moves away.
McDonnell throws a sloppy body shot
and McDonnell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McDonnell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stefanovic.
McDonnell connects with a high kick.
McDonnell misses with an uppercut. Stefanovic saw that one coming.
McDonnell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stefanovic.
McDonnell lands a nice shot that snaps Stefanovic's head back.
Stefanovic scores with a jab. McDonnell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A nice leg kick lands there from McDonnell.
McDonnell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stefanovic looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Stefanovic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stefanovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but McDonnell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stefanovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but McDonnell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stefanovic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McDonnell swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stefanovic walks into a straight right hand from McDonnell.
Stefanovic misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Stefanovic.
Stefanovic looks to throw the jab but McDonnell is out of range.
Stefanovic stuns McDonnell with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Stefanovic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stefanovic avoids the body shot from McDonnell.
Stefanovic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stefanovic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before McDonnell has time to react.
McDonnell looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
McDonnell getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Stefanovic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stefanovic throws a front kick aimed at McDonnell's knee but McDonnell avoids it well.
McDonnell darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Stefanovic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stefanovic misses with a hook.
Stefanovic takes a swing at McDonnell's ribcage but misses.
Stefanovic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McDonnell tries to work over Stefanovic's front leg with a kick but Stefanovic checks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stefanovic throws a hook but McDonnell avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McDonnell blocks a leg kick.
Stefanovic takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Stefanovic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McDonnell.
Stefanovic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Stefanovic, right into the meat.
McDonnell throws a nice head kick!

Stefanovic is rocked!
Stefanovic scores with a decent looking hook.
Stefanovic is still on wobbly legs! Can McDonnell finish him?
Stefanovic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McDonnell moves out of range of the leg kick from Stefanovic.
Stefanovic seems to have recovered his senses.
Stefanovic thuds his right hand into McDonnell's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
McDonnell throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McDonnell thumps Stefanovic with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stefanovic connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed McDonnell momentarily.
McDonnell scoring well with a low kick there.
Stefanovic looks to score with a jab to the body but McDonnell is just out of range.
Stefanovic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Alex Stefanovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

McDonnell connects with a single shot there.
McDonnell throws a lazy right hand but Stefanovic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stefanovic throws out a counter right but McDonnell avoids it with no problem.
McDonnell is looking to score with low kicks.
McDonnell takes a swing at Stefanovic's ribcage but misses.
McDonnell throws a body punch but Stefanovic moves out of range.
McDonnell takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McDonnell tries a low kick but Stefanovic avoids it.
Stefanovic takes a swing at McDonnell's ribcage but misses.
McDonnell connects with an inside leg kick.
A big right from Stefanovic misses.
A slow jab from Stefanovic misses its intended target.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Stefanovic!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from McDonnell.
McDonnell misses with a low kick.
McDonnell throws a looping overhand right but Stefanovic ducks down to avoid it.
McDonnell lands with a nice body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stefanovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
It looked like McDonnell wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cory McDonnell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonnell slips under a jab.
Stefanovic misses the shot to the body.
McDonnell connects with a good right hand that stumbles Stefanovic. Stefanovic circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Stefanovic tries to clinch but McDonnell is having none of it.
Stefanovic darts in trying to clinch
and Stefanovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McDonnell scores with a jab to the jaw.
McDonnell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stefanovic jabs McDonnell to the body, keeping him at a distance.
McDonnell misses the jab.
McDonnell loads up on a big right hand but Stefanovic slips the punch.
McDonnell feints and then cracks Stefanovic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stefanovic down.
McDonnell fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McDonnell misses the jab.
Stefanovic misses with a wild body shot.
Stefanovic bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of McDonnell's head.
Stefanovic has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some bone on bone action there as Stefanovic checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Stefanovic is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McDonnell with a body shot.
Stefanovic cracks McDonnell with an open hand slap.
McDonnell throws a head kick that misses.
Stefanovic lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
McDonnell doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A leg kick checked by Stefanovic.
McDonnell throws a poor cross that misses
letting Stefanovic counter with a right hand.
Stefanovic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McDonnell.
McDonnell thows a leg kick but Stefanovic checks it
and Stefanovic counters with a series of strikes. McDonnell will be more careful next time no doubt.
Stefanovic loads up on a big right hand but McDonnell slips the punch.
Stefanovic slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McDonnell finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Stefanovic fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but McDonnell is out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDonnell with a hook.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McDonnell.
Stefanovic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McDonnell attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Cory McDonnell.
I think Stefanovic 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 47:49
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a draw!