PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Danilov (ranked 512 p4p, 958 weight class) and Cory McDonnell (ranked 79 p4p, 152 weight class). McDonnell comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Jorge Quintero - 300 Violin Orchestra kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Ruslan Danilov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Danilov
vs
McDonnell

185 cm
30
180
18 - 13 - 0

183 cm
39
185
39 - 23 - 3

Great wrestler
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Voodoo Nutrition
Core Combat

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 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ruslan Danilov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 23 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cory McDonnell!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Phil Schofield and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Danilov throws a low kick but McDonnell moves out of range easily.
Danilov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A nice leg kick lands there from McDonnell.
McDonnell staying out of range there.
Danilov slips under a jab.
McDonnell stuns Danilov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Danilov fails with a takedown attempt.
Danilov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McDonnell.
McDonnell gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Danilov lands a leg kick that knocks McDonnell off balance momentarily.
McDonnell throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

McDonnell clinches.
McDonnell blocks a body shot from Danilov.
McDonnell stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
McDonnell is working Danilov over against the cage.
McDonnell lands a nice knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

McDonnell breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonnell connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
McDonnell tries to move into range but Danilov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for McDonnell.
Danilov tried to score with a low kick but McDonnell checks it.
Cory McDonnell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDonnell lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Danilov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McDonnell.
Danilov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice sprawl there from McDonnell as Danilov shoots in.
McDonnell throws a body punch but Danilov moves out of range.
Ruslan Danilov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Danilov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McDonnell.

McDonnell gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Danilov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Danilov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McDonnell is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell is pulling down on Danilov's head. It's preventing any offense from Danilov, at least for the moment.
McDonnell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Danilov.
Danilov trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonnell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Danilov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Danilov wants to pass the guard but McDonnell is keeping the position.
Danilov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McDonnell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Danilov is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danilov trying to control but McDonnell is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Danilov dives in for a single leg takedown but McDonnell sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Danilov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Danilov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McDonnells head.
Danilov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McDonnell can't find room to land a body shot as Danilov controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Danilov.
Danilov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. McDonnell just stands there and leans against the cage.
McDonnell throws a knee to the head but misses.
Danilov avoids the elbow strike from McDonnell, against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Danilov.
McDonnell tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Danilov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McDonnell misses with some punches.
McDonnell misses with a hook to the ribs.
McDonnell misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Danilov misses with the head strike.
Danilov stalling in the clinch but McDonnell improves position.
Danilov missing with knees to the body.
McDonnell lands with a light punch inside.
McDonnell tries a knee to the head but Danilov blocks it.
Danilov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Danilov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Danilov lands with a left to the head.
Danilov trying to control the position but instead, McDonnell has worked for underhooks and has pushed Danilov into the cage.

McDonnell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McDonnell lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
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 tries a head kick but it misses.
Danilov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Danilov throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
McDonnell tries to land a body kick

and Danilov counters with a single leg into guard. McDonnell didn't expect that.
McDonnell is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Danilov misses with a low kick.
Danilov misses with a low kick.
McDonnell tries to counter with a clinch but Danilov shakes him off and moves away.
Danilov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Danilov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
McDonnell lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A left and a right from Danilov both land. Nice combination.

Danilov looking to score a takedown here. McDonnell is defending well but Danilov drives through and ends up in McDonnell's guard.
McDonnell wants to stand up but Danilov is controlling him.
Danilov postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Danilov trying to control but McDonnell is working from the bottom.
Danilov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danilov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
McDonnell wants to sweep here but Danilov controlling him for the moment.
McDonnell manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Danilov manages to get himself to full guard.

Danilov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McDonnell defends well.
McDonnell trying to control but Danilov is working from the bottom.
Danilov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McDonnell looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ruslan Danilov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Danilov being controlled here, momentarily.
Danilov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McDonnell trying to control the position from guard on top but Danilov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Danilov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell ducks under a wild hook from Danilov.
Danilov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before McDonnell has time to react.
Danilov lands the left hand.
Danilov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
McDonnell throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McDonnell scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Danilov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McDonnell dips to his left and cracks Danilov with an uppercut!
Danilov feints and then cracks McDonnell's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McDonnell down.
McDonnell lands with a kick to the temple. Danilov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Danilov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Danilov tries to land a front kick but McDonnell steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Danilov connects with a single shot there.
McDonnell throws a shot from downtown. Danilov moves away and avoids it.
Danilov drops down looking for a counter takedown but McDonnell sprawls and moves away.
Danilov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Danilov chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Danilov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
McDonnell has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Danilov looks to score with a jab to the body but McDonnell is just out of range.
McDonnell tries to counter by closing the distance.
Danilov throws a shot to the body.
McDonnell swings for the body but Danilov moves out of range.
Danilov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
McDonnell darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McDonnell takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Danilov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Danilov sets himself, and McDonnell steps forward looking for the clinch! Danilov avoids it this time.
Cory McDonnell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Danilov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Danilov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A jab from McDonnell finds it's way through Danilov's defenses.
Danilov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Danilov throws the left hand but McDonnell avoids the punch easily.
McDonnell on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Danilov. Danilov obviously looking to wear him down.
Danilov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Danilov staying out of range there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ruslan Danilov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

McDonnell avoids the head kick by Danilov.
A bone on bone clash there as Danilov blocks the leg kick.
Danilov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Danilov throws a hook but McDonnell blocks it.
McDonnell avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McDonnell lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
McDonnell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McDonnell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Danilov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
McDonnell scores with a head kick. Danilov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Danilov checks the leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for McDonnell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonnell ducks under a wild hook from Danilov.
McDonnell misses the shot to the body.
Danilov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McDonnell lands with a good 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 is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonnell fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Danilov on the side of the head.
McDonnell scores with a jab to the jaw.
Danilov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McDonnell on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Danilov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Danilov scores with a punch to the head.
McDonnell dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Danilov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McDonnell throws a head kick but Danilov moves out of range.
Danilov misses with a low kick as McDonnell jumps back.
McDonnell jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McDonnell on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nice cross by Danilov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Danilov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell blocks a head kick by Danilov.
A clash of legs there as McDonnell blocks the low kick.
Danilov throws a head kick but McDonnell moves out of range.
McDonnell blocks a jab.
Danilov throws a leg kick but McDonnell sees it coming and moves out of range.
McDonnell looks to score with a jab to the body but Danilov is just out of range.
Danilov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McDonnell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Danilov manages to avoid it.

McDonnell has managed to clinch.
Nice body punch from McDonnell - that landed with a thud.
McDonnell working aggressively here.
Danilov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Danilov tries to pull guard but McDonnell forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
McDonnell lands a body punch in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Danilov successfully pulls guard.

Danilov throws his legs up looking for a submission but McDonnell uses it to pass to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell advances nicely into full mount.
McDonnell trying to control but Danilov is having none of it.
McDonnell sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Danilov tries to hold on but McDonnell pushes him away.
McDonnell content just to control the position here.
McDonnell looking to control but Danilov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
McDonnell is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Danilov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Danilov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Danilov is working hard here to advance position.
Danilov tries to hold on but McDonnell pushes him away.
McDonnell sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cory McDonnell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McDonnell 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cory McDonnell!
After the fight, Cory McDonnell was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.