PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Smith (ranked 41 p4p, 129 weight class) and Cletus McDonald (ranked 7 p4p, 20 weight class). McDonald has chosen Merle Haggard - Okie From Muskogee as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Smith
vs
McDonald

183 cm
32
185
27 - 12 - 3

184 cm
33
190
24 - 12 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Aspire Clothing

KOMBAT KLOTHING
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 27 - 12 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cletus McDonald !
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McDonald moves away.
McDonald will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smith blocks a low kick nicely.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
McDonald goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from McDonald , before circling back to the center of the mat.
McDonald misses with a kick to the body.
Smith is looking for a counter combo.
McDonald looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
Smith quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Smith takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to land a front kick but McDonald steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McDonald darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McDonald connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Smith's hands.
McDonald has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Smith is landing a low percentage of strikes.
McDonald scores with a kick to the body.
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!
Smith on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
McDonald moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.
McDonald comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd cheers as McDonald lands an impressive looking overhand right. Smith doesn't seem phased though.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Joe Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cletus McDonald .
McDonald cracks Smith with an open hand slap.

McDonald moves into the clinch.

McDonald has clasped his hands together around Smith's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Smith isn't going anywhere.
Smith defending against the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith defending against the ground and pound.
Smith is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
McDonald cracks Smith with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throws an elbow but Smith slips to the side and avoids it well.
Smith sneaks back into half guard.
Smith moves into full guard.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McDonald is fighting to break Smith's control of his arms but Smith is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smith looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but McDonald puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Smith 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!
McDonald is in bad spot here.

Smith is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. McDonald knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften McDonald for a finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
McDonald is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Smith struggling to keep hold of the position.
Smith misses with punches from the back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is trying to stick to McDonald 's back but McDonald is turning into Smith. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Smith's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by McDonald .
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith managing to control the position.
McDonald postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McDonald postures up in Smith's guard and throws a big left but Smith blocks it.
McDonald with a flurry of punches that miss.
McDonald trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McDonald is fighting to break Smith's control of his arms but Smith is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
McDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Smith is adopting a defensive guard.
McDonald postures up in Smith's guard and throws a big left but Smith blocks it.
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McDonald pushing down on Smith's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

McDonald getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Smith lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

It looks like Cletus McDonald has been cut.
Donk. McDonald catches Smith right on the button with a cross.
McDonald throws a push kick but Smith slaps the foot to one side.
McDonald wants to clinch.
Nice body punch from McDonald .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Decent striking displayed by McDonald there.
McDonald looks for the body kick but Smith saw that one coming.
Smith throws a jab when McDonald was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Smith tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
McDonald defending well as Smith loads up on a big left hand.

McDonald gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McDonald tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
McDonald makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Smith has a couple of punches blocked by McDonald .
Smith tries to work over McDonald 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McDonald goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith prevents McDonald from breaking the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for McDonald .
McDonald has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McDonald misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from McDonald .
McDonald blocks an uppercut.
McDonald wants a takedown.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McDonald .
It looked like Smith was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from McDonald .
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but McDonald swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. McDonald does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Cletus McDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McDonald scores with the left hand. Smith knows he should have avoided that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick misses from McDonald .
Smith is looking to counter punch.
McDonald throws the kick towards the body but Smith avoids it.
McDonald moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Smith looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McDonald dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McDonald clobbers Smith with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Joe Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDonald connects with an inside leg kick.
McDonald tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McDonald scores with a jab to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Smith throws a jab when McDonald was well out of range.
McDonald moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Smith gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McDonald .
Smith walks forward, straight into a front kick from McDonald .
Cletus McDonald seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
McDonald misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Joe Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cletus McDonald .
McDonald tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith throwing a counter right hand but McDonald manages to avoid it.
McDonald with a nice cross.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt.
A quick step to the side and Smith tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smith sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McDonald somewhat.
McDonald lands a nice hook to Smith's body. Smith takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McDonald tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And Smith counters with a quick kick to the body but McDonald blocks it.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonald lands a nice shot that snaps Smith's head back.
Smith misses with a hook. McDonald ducked under it nicely.
McDonald steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cletus McDonald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Cletus McDonald 's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
A lazy left from McDonald finds it's target.
Smith is looking to wear down McDonald with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McDonald stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
McDonald wants to clinch.
Smith throws a quick counter kick to the body but McDonald avoids it.
McDonald misses with a straight right.
McDonald throws a right hand that misses
and Smith makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

McDonald closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Smith did well to prevent McDonald getting side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald slips a nice elbow through Smith's hands, connecting with Smith's forehead.
Smith wants to get back to full guard.
McDonald throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
McDonald lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but Smith defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
McDonald throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith is trying to maintain the position but McDonald is very close to passing his half guard.
Smith is trying is best to control the position here.
McDonald slips a nice elbow through Smith's hands, connecting with Smith's forehead.
Smith moves into full guard.
McDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
McDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but McDonald defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
McDonald looking to pass the guard.
Smith is controlling McDonald 's posture.
McDonald with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cletus McDonald has got the better of the ground game so far.
McDonald stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.
McDonald being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Smith uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McDonald .
McDonald fails with an attempt to clinch.
McDonald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A good leg kick by McDonald .
Smith blocks a head kick by McDonald .

McDonald shoots in and bounces Smith off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
McDonald cracks Smith with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is adopting a defensive guard.
McDonald throwing strikes but missing.
McDonald throws a big right hand that misses.
Joe Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cletus McDonald is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McDonald looking to sit in guard and control but Smith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

McDonald looking to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McDonald 's head.
Smith postures up.
Smith postures up in McDonald 's guard and throws a big left but McDonald blocks it.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cletus McDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McDonald has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cletus McDonald !
Cletus McDonald seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.