PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John McCain (ranked 1303 p4p, 3213 weight class) and Alejandro Sepulveda (ranked 72 p4p, 170 weight class). McCain comes to the cage accompanied by Anywhere I Go. Sepulveda is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Lady Gaga - Alejandro. 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.

McCain
vs
Sepulveda

166 cm
27
140
9 - 6 - 0

159 cm
41
141
36 - 26 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John McCain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 26 - 2, fighting out of New York, Alejandro Sepulveda!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McCain has closed the distance and engaged Sepulveda in a clinch.
Sepulveda blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sepulveda blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Sepulveda fails to land.
Sepulveda tries to pull guard but McCain holds him up against the cage and eventually Sepulveda drops back down to his feet.
McCain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sepulveda throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McCains head.
McCain tries to throw a body punch but Sepulveda avoids it by throwing McCain back against the cage.
Sepulveda takes a shot to the head.
A short left from McCain.
McCain throws a punch but it's blocked by Sepulveda.
Sepulveda prevents a body shot from McCain.
Sepulveda misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sepulveda throws a head punch that misses.
McCain prevents the takedown attempt.

Sepulveda works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sepulveda got a little sloppy there for a moment and McCain has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sepulveda has managed to get both his arms back between McCain's legs - danger averted.

McCain working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sepulveda doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sepulveda manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sepulveda wants to control from the top but McCain keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McCain looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sepulveda trying to control the position from guard on top but McCain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCain seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

McCain is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sepulveda is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

McCain had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sepulveda defends it easily.

McCain throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McCain keeping moving, preventing Sepulveda from controlling successfully.
Sepulveda is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sepulveda trying to control but McCain is working from the bottom.

McCain is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda trying to control the position from guard on top but McCain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
McCain looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sepulveda lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McCain displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sepulveda.
John McCain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alejandro Sepulveda.
Sepulveda just misses with a punch to the body.
McCain is looking to counter punch.
McCain takes a shot to the body in his stride.
McCain throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda takes a swing at McCain's ribcage but misses.
Sepulveda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Sepulveda closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. McCain quickly recovers to half guard.
McCain wants to control but Sepulveda is keeping busy and won't allow it.
McCain regains full guard. Nicely done.

McCain had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sepulveda defends it easily.
Sepulveda wants to control from the top but McCain keeps moving.
Sepulveda might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control McCain haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sepulveda avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McCain keeping moving, preventing Sepulveda from controlling successfully.
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 John McCain will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McCain swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sepulveda takes a swing at McCain's ribcage but misses.
Sepulveda lands with a nice body kick.
McCain throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sepulveda fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McCain avoids it really well and circles away.
Sepulveda takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sepulveda looks to score with a jab to the body but McCain is just out of range.
Sepulveda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCain bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sepulveda misses the shot to the body.
McCain misses with a hook. Sepulveda ducked under it nicely.
Sepulveda now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sepulveda is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down McCain rather than just go for the knockout.
McCain moves into range and connects with a jab.
McCain bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sepulveda's head backwards.
John McCain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCain throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sepulveda pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
McCain defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sepulveda.
McCain walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sepulveda checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sepulveda throws a body shot but no joy.
Sepulveda stuns McCain with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
McCain fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sepulveda is out of range.
Sepulveda swings for the body but McCain moves out of range.
McCain appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
McCain connects with a single shot there.
Sepulveda throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Sepulveda closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into McCain's guard.
John McCain is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McCain trying to control the position here.
Sepulveda wants to control from the top but McCain keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCain wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
McCain keeping moving, preventing Sepulveda from controlling successfully.
Sepulveda postures up.
McCain seems keen to control Sepulveda's posture.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
McCain keeping moving, preventing Sepulveda from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Sepulveda gets tackled into the cage by McCain. McCain maintains the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right from Sepulveda on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda blocks a body shot from McCain.
Sepulveda tries to pull guard but McCain won't allow it.
John McCain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alejandro Sepulveda.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sepulveda.
Sepulveda is trying to pull guard but McCain turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Sepulveda looking for a takedown.
Sepulveda is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sepulveda can't get the takedown.
Sepulveda jumps guard but McCain turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sepulveda misses with a punch on the inside.
Sepulveda misses with a short punch on the inside.
McCain blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Sepulveda gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, McCain regains guard.
Sepulveda engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Alejandro Sepulveda has got the better of the ground game so far.
McCain has his hands on Sepulveda's head, controlling the position.
McCain's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alejandro Sepulveda will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

McCain ducks under a wild hook from Sepulveda.
McCain connects with a jab.
Sepulveda fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McCain connects with a single shot there.
Sepulveda shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McCain but McCain pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McCain is looking to counter with a body kick.
McCain throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A big right from Sepulveda misses.
Sepulveda thows a leg kick but McCain checks it
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Sepulveda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCain manages to avoid it.
Sepulveda misses with a low kick as McCain jumps back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab from McCain.
McCain is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sepulveda throws a hook but McCain blocks it.
McCain throws a big shot that misses.
Sepulveda is trying to counter with his kicks.
McCain comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McCain stuffs the takedown.
McCain feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Sepulveda takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sepulveda shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sepulveda was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
You can see the frustration on McCain's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
What's McCain going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
You can see the frustration on McCain's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Who's going to make the next move?
Sepulveda working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda trying to control the action but McCain is working from the bottom.
McCain is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Sepulveda looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Sepulveda working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCain is not content to let Sepulveda control the position.
McCain is trying to improve his position.

Sepulveda goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, McCain rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Sepulveda's guard! Nice work there by McCain!
McCain wants to control from the top but Sepulveda keeps moving.

McCain drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sepulveda manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now McCain has Sepulveda in his guard.

Sepulveda controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCain has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sepulveda can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
McCain is trying to keep Sepulveda in close.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McCain has his foot on Sepulveda's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sepulveda works his way back into a safe position though.
McCain keeping moving, preventing Sepulveda from controlling successfully.

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 John McCain.
I think McCain 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... John McCain!