PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike McLaughlin (ranked 390 p4p, 270 weight class) and Lito Alcala (ranked 51 p4p, 40 weight class). Mike McLaughlin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McLaughlin
vs
Alcala

178 cm
35
148
26 - 9 - 2

169 cm
33
146
24 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Core Combat
Altitude Clothing

Vegan Gains
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike McLaughlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lito Alcala!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McLaughlin scores with a punch to the head.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
Alcala is looking for the big counter here.
McLaughlin connects with a solid leg kick.
Alcala looks to land a body kick but McLaughlin moved away.
A quick step to the side and McLaughlin tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alcala throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McLaughlin misses with a body punch
and Alcala counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Alcala misses with a hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from McLaughlin. Alcala does a little dance to reset his feet.
McLaughlin stuns Alcala with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
McLaughlin blocks the body kick.
Alcala uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin throws a wild body kick that Alcala sees coming a mile off.
McLaughlin takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Alcala misses with a hook.
Alcala connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
McLaughlin throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McLaughlin looks to land a left hand but Alcala moved out of range nicely.
McLaughlin lands a right hook to the body.
Alcala takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

McLaughlin has closed the distance and engaged Alcala in a clinch.
McLaughlin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McLaughlin has Alcala pressed against the cage, preventing Alcala from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McLaughlin can't find room to land a body shot as Alcala controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alcala pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Alcala throws the left hand but McLaughlin avoids the punch easily.
Alcala misses with a jab, cross combination.
McLaughlin is looking to wear down Alcala with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Alcala.
Alcala throws a looping overhand right but McLaughlin ducks down to avoid it.
Alcala misses the jab.
McLaughlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Alcala throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like McLaughlin was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Alcala.
McLaughlin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Alcala.
McLaughlin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Alcala misses with an uppercut.
Alcala gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McLaughlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Alcala uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before McLaughlin has time to react.
McLaughlin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Alcala throws a body shot but no joy.
Alcala throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McLaughlin throws the kick towards the body but Alcala avoids it.
Decent striking displayed by Alcala there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McLaughlin throws a looping overhand right but Alcala ducks down to avoid it.
Good work by Alcala as he checks the leg kick.
Lito Alcala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Alcala.
A low kick lands for McLaughlin.
Alcala jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McLaughlin appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Alcala slips under a jab.
McLaughlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Alcala takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
McLaughlin's corner calls for a 1-2. McLaughlin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Alcala thuds his right hand into McLaughlin's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
McLaughlin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Alcala.
McLaughlin with a hook.
McLaughlin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McLaughlin swings for the body but Alcala moves out of range.
A slow jab from Alcala misses its intended target.
McLaughlin throws a low kick, looking for Alcala's leg but Alcala calmly moves out of range.
Alcala appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
McLaughlin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Alcala. Alcala circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Alcala fails to land with a series of punches.
Alcala looks for the body kick but McLaughlin saw that one coming.
McLaughlin throws a looping overhand right but Alcala ducks down to avoid it.
Alcala checks a low kick from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Alcala.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin looks to score with a jab to the body but Alcala is just out of range.
Alcala appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
McLaughlin scores with a body shot.
McLaughlin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Alcala in his tracks.
Alcala connects with a nice looking jab.
McLaughlin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Alcala misses with an uppercut.
Alcala takes one on the button.
A looping hook to the body misses from McLaughlin. Alcala does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big right from McLaughlin misses.
McLaughlin moves away from the strike by Alcala.
McLaughlin throws an overhand right that lands on Alcala's shoulder, as Alcala tries to avoid the shot.
Alcala steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McLaughlin.
Alcala looks to throw the jab but McLaughlin is out of range.
McLaughlin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Alcala.
McLaughlin looks to score with a jab to the body but Alcala is just out of range.
McLaughlin sizes up Alcala with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
McLaughlin takes a swing at Alcala's ribcage but misses.
Alcala misses with a kick to the body.
McLaughlin throws a big shot that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alcala throws a lazy right hand but McLaughlin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McLaughlin misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alcala misses with a straight right.
Alcala bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
McLaughlin is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
McLaughlin throws a looping overhand right but Alcala ducks down to avoid it.
McLaughlin slips a straight right by Alcala.
Alcala misses the shot to the body.
Alcala throws a jab when McLaughlin was well out of range.
Alcala lands a lovely overhand right.
Alcala moves out of range of the body kick.
Alcala misses with a jab, cross combination.
McLaughlin throws a hook but Alcala blocks it.
Alcala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McLaughlin.
Alcala fails to land with a series of punches.
McLaughlin is looking to counter punch.
Alcala rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McLaughlin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McLaughlin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Alcala throws out the jab.
McLaughlin throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McLaughlin throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Alcala is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
McLaughlin pushes Alcala away with a front kick.
Alcala avoids the head kick by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McLaughlin takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike McLaughlin dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
McLaughlin throws a head kick but Alcala moves out of range.
Alcala looks to throw the jab but McLaughlin is out of range.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
Left hook, right uppercut from Alcala.
Alcala uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin pivots, looking for a leg kick but Alcala is out of range and McLaughlin settles back down.
Alcala connects with a crisp jab.
Alcala waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McLaughlin.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin misses with a straight left.
Jab from Alcala.
Alcala misses the shot to the body.
Alcala tries to bum rush McLaughlin with a series of wild strikes but McLaughlin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McLaughlin throws a looping overhand right but Alcala ducks down to avoid it.
Alcala throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McLaughlin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McLaughlin buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good shot there by Alcala.
McLaughlin looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
McLaughlin does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
McLaughlin misses with a hook. Alcala ducked under it nicely.
Alcala flicks out a counter leg kick but McLaughlin steps away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaughlin is looking to slow Alcala down with leg kicks.
Alcala scores with a body shot.
Alcala moves out of range of the leg kick from McLaughlin.
A swing and a miss from Alcala.
McLaughlin throws a push kick but Alcala slaps the foot to one side.
A decent looking cross lands there for Alcala.
McLaughlin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Alcala steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McLaughlin.
Alcala lands with an overhand left.
Alcala throws a lazy right hand but McLaughlin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Alcala scores with a jab.
Alcala dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McLaughlin misses with a leg kick.
McLaughlin tries a head kick but it misses.
Alcala throws a wild body kick that McLaughlin sees coming a mile off.
Alcala throws a body kick that misses.
McLaughlin fires out a quick counter leg kick but Alcala just manages to avoid it.
Alcala throws a lazy right hand but McLaughlin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McLaughlin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alcala is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McLaughlin.
Alcala throws a lazy uppercut
and McLaughlin counters with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Alcala.
Alcala is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McLaughlin.
Alcala connects with a body shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from McLaughlin.
A solid body kick from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin throws a looping overhand right but Alcala ducks down to avoid it.
Alcala keeps the fight on the outside.
A punch lands to the side of McLaughlin 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Alcala throws a looping overhand right but McLaughlin ducks down to avoid it.
Alcala pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Alcala misses with an attempted mid kick.
McLaughlin misses with an uppercut. Alcala saw that one coming.
Alcala throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Alcala lands a body shot.
McLaughlin misses with a hook. Alcala ducked under it nicely.
Alcala takes a jab right on the kisser.
Alcala drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
McLaughlin ducks under a wild hook from Alcala.
McLaughlin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alcala works the jab nicely.
McLaughlin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Alcala takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Alcala! But no joy.
A big left from Alcala misses.
McLaughlin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Alcala misses with the combination.
McLaughlin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McLaughlin throws a half hearted mid kick.
McLaughlin scores with a punch to the head.
McLaughlin on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Alcala. Alcala obviously looking to wear him down.
Alcala misses with a straight right.
A big left from Alcala misses.
McLaughlin on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Good shot there by Alcala.
A big right from McLaughlin misses.
McLaughlin tries to clinch up.
McLaughlin scores with a jab. Alcala acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alcala tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McLaughlin was well out of range. Poor timing from Alcala.
McLaughlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Alcala darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Alcala throws a hook to the side of McLaughlin's head but McLaughlin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A swing and a miss from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
McLaughlin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Alcala sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Alcala thows a left - swing and a miss!
A little feinted left hand from McLaughlin on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Alcala throws a jab but it's blocked by McLaughlin.
Alcala scores with a three punch combo!
Alcala throws a body kick that misses.
McLaughlin swings for the body but Alcala moves out of range.
McLaughlin looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Alcala scoring well with a low kick there.
Alcala tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McLaughlin was well out of range. Poor timing from Alcala.
Nice shot lands for Alcala.
McLaughlin misses with a straight right.
Alcala misses with a wild combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice uppercut there from McLaughlin.
Alcala throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice body kick there by McLaughlin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lito Alcala showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

McLaughlin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Alcala.
McLaughlin scores with a leg kick.
McLaughlin uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Alcala thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on McLaughlin if he has to take too many more of those.
McLaughlin misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from McLaughlin.
Alcala swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McLaughlin misses with an uppercut. Alcala saw that one coming.
A swing and a miss from Alcala.
McLaughlin clobbers Alcala with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Alcala connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
McLaughlin catches Alcala with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
McLaughlin throws a body kick that misses.
McLaughlin takes a swing at Alcala's ribcage but misses.
McLaughlin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Alcala on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McLaughlin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
McLaughlin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Alcala is trying to counter with his kicks.
McLaughlin throws a head kick but Alcala moves out of range.
McLaughlin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Alcala manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Alcala throws a body punch but McLaughlin moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left lands for Alcala.
McLaughlin slips a straight right by Alcala.
McLaughlin connects with a single shot there.
Alcala throws a big shot that misses.
McLaughlin defending well as Alcala loads up on a big left hand.
Alcala throws out a powerful jab.
McLaughlin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alcala moves away.
McLaughlin showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Alcala.
Alcala moves out of range as McLaughlin throws a body kick.
Alcala looks to throw the jab but McLaughlin is out of range.
Crunch! Alcala slams his shin into McLaughlin's torso.
Alcala ducks under a wild hook from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin looks to throw the jab but Alcala is out of range.
Alcala pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McLaughlin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
McLaughlin misses with an attempted mid kick.
Alcala misses with a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McLaughlin sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alcala misses with an uppercut.
Alcala throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Alcala misses with a straight left.
Alcala walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
McLaughlin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jab from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin moves out of range of the strikes.
Alcala's corner calls for a 1-2. Alcala obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
McLaughlin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Alcala swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McLaughlin.
Alcala misses with an uppercut.
McLaughlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McLaughlin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Alcala misses the target.
McLaughlin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McLaughlin misses the jab.
Alcala misses with a two punch combination.
McLaughlin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Alcala in his tracks.
Alcala misses the jab.
An attempted straight right counter from McLaughlin misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin connects with a single shot there.
McLaughlin lands a slapping body shot.
Alcala fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Alcala looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McLaughlin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McLaughlin misses with a wild body shot.
Alcala swings widly with a right hand
and McLaughlin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Alcala looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
McLaughlin connects with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alcala. McLaughlin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alcala connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
McLaughlin lands a head kick. Alcala smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
McLaughlin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McLaughlin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Alcala misses with an uppercut. McLaughlin saw that one coming.
Alcala takes a jab right on the kisser.
Alcala moves out of range of the body kick.
Alcala misses with an uppercut
and McLaughlin counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Alcala misses its intended target.
McLaughlin misses with a straight right.
McLaughlin throws a body punch but Alcala moves out of range.
McLaughlin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McLaughlin blocks the body kick.
An attempted straight right counter from McLaughlin misses the target.
McLaughlin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McLaughlin throws a hook but Alcala blocks it.
Alcala misses with a hook. McLaughlin ducked under it nicely.
Alcala takes a swing at McLaughlin's ribcage but misses.
Alcala misses with an uppercut
and McLaughlin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McLaughlin throws a sloppy head kick and Alcala moves out of range easily.
Alcala cracks McLaughlin with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
McLaughlin ducks under a wild hook from Alcala.
Alcala misses with a lunging right hand
and McLaughlin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McLaughlin takes one to the side of the head.
McLaughlin connects with a looping right hand.
Alcala gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A swing and a miss from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Alcala if he has to take too many more of those.

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 Mike McLaughlin.
I think McLaughlin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Mike McLaughlin!
In his post fight interview, Mike McLaughlin started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.