PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John McCain (ranked 1212 p4p, 405 weight class) and Karl Hermann (ranked 72 p4p, 25 weight class). McCain's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Anywhere I Go. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

McCain
vs
Hermann

166 cm
27
140
10 - 6 - 0

173 cm
26
145
14 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
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 10 - 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 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Karl Hermann!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hermann takes a swing at McCain's ribcage but misses.
Hermann keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hermann takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hermann throws an off balance right hand
and Hermann takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice jab there from McCain.
Karl Hermann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCain pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
McCain missing with a left hand there. Hermann was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hermann bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
McCain lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Hermann swings for the body but McCain moves out of range.
Nice straight punches there by Hermann. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hermann.
Hermann connects with a looping right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCain on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hermann misses the shot to the body.
McCain throws a hook but Hermann blocks it.
A little jabbing left from Hermann on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
McCain uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hermann.
McCain swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hermann appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Hermann misses with a looping left.
McCain swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hermann wants to clinch
letting McCain counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCain moves out of range of the strikes.
A decent looking cross lands there for McCain.
McCain dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hermann. That did some damage!
McCain blocks a jab.
Hermann misses the shot to the body.
Hermann lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
McCain 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.
McCain connects with a nice looking jab.
McCain tries to clinch but Hermann moves out of range.
McCain moves out of range of the strikes.
Hermann has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
McCain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCain swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
McCain fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hermann throws a jab but it's blocked by McCain.
McCain misses with a low kick.
Hermann catches McCain with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hermann looks to score with a jab to the body but McCain is just out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McCain rushes Hermann and presses him up against the cage.
A short right from McCain.
Hermann working aggressively here.
McCain misses with a body punch.
McCain lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermann lands a body shot.
Hermann working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A right hand to the body from McCain.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from McCain fails to land.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McCain creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
McCain lands a body punch in the clinch.
McCain blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McCain lands with a short shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McCain creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hermann prevents a body shot from McCain.
Hermann tries to work over McCain's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McCain throws a head punch that misses.
Hermann lands a right hand that snaps the head of McCain backwards.
McCain lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hermann backwards.
Hermann tries to work over McCain's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hermann blocks an uppercut.
McCain has a couple of punches blocked by Hermann.
Still in the clinch, Hermann scores with a nice short uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Hermann.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCain blocks an uppercut.
McCain goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McCain lands a shoulder strike.
Hermann blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McCain scores with a shot to the side of Hermann's head.

Hermann breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hermann. McCain does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCain lands a nice shot that snaps Hermann's head back.
A solid leg kick lands there for McCain.
Hermann listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McCain looks to score with a jab to the body but Hermann is just out of range.
McCain slips under a jab from Hermann.
Hermann takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Hermann is rocked!

Hermann forces McCain back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hermann lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McCain misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hermann misses with a hook from the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for McCain.
Hermann taking a breather.
McCain misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCain lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hermann lands a right hand.
McCain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short left from Hermann.
Hermann throws a head punch that misses.
Hermann blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hermann throws a punch but it's blocked by McCain.
McCain misses with some punches.
Hermann lands a hook that snaps the head of McCain backwards.
McCain lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hermann throws a head punch that misses.
McCain prevents a body shot from Hermann.
McCain gets through Hermann's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hermann blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McCain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCain swings wildly with an uppercut but Hermann uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCain throws a punch but it's blocked by Hermann.
Hermann tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hermann fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McCain swings away with an uppercut that misses.
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.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McCain takes the fight into the clinch.
John McCain has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Good body shot from Hermann.
McCain blocking some punches.
McCain pushes Hermann back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hermann is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hermann misses with a punch to the body.

Hermann breaks the clinch.
Hermann lands with an overhand left.
McCain ducks under a wild hook from Hermann.
Karl Hermann seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McCain keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hermann.
Hermann misses with a left hand
and McCain counters with a left to the body.
McCain ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCain avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McCain was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hermann misses with an uppercut.
McCain is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
McCain slips under a jab from Hermann.
Hermann tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hermann looks to score with a jab to the body but McCain is just out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hermann misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermann pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McCain.
McCain tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hermann paws at him with a jab and circles away.
An inside leg kick lands from McCain.
The fight stays on the outside here - McCain looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hermann keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McCain.
Hermann throws a lazy right hand but McCain sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hermann blocks a low kick nicely.
McCain tries to clinch up.
Hermann throws a jab but it's blocked by McCain.
Hermann jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hermann looks to throw the jab but McCain is out of range.
John McCain is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hermann throws a looping overhand right but McCain ducks down to avoid it.
McCain needs to keep his hands up - Hermann had a free shot at his head there.
McCain walks into a left hand.
Hermann throws a big shot that misses.
McCain throws a low kick but Hermann moves out of range easily.
Hermann lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCain misses with a body shot.
Hermann throws out a counter right but McCain avoids it with no problem.
McCain throws a body kick that misses.
McCain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hermann throws a hook but McCain avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hermann. McCain does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good shot there by McCain.
Hermann throws a shot to the body.
McCain displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hermann throws out the jab.
McCain drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hermann checks a leg kick.
McCain tries to clinch up.
Hermann wants to counter the offense by McCain and move into the clinch position.
Hermann misses the jab.
McCain lands a lovely overhand right.
McCain steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hermann.
Hermann throws out a loose jab but McCain uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCain was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McCain lands a right hook to the body.
Hermann misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McCain moves into the clinch successfully.
Hermann holding his opponent close, against the cage.
McCain tries a body shot but Hermann blocks it.
Hermann goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hermann presses McCain against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
McCain lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hermann backwards.
Hermann misses with a short punch on the inside.
McCain swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McCain struggles to land a body shot inside as Hermann controls his hands.
A shot in the inside from Hermann.
McCain gets through Hermann's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hermann tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermann tries to work over McCain's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hermann blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McCain.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hermann.
McCain blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hermann struggles to land a body shot inside as McCain controls his hands.
Hermann tries a body shot but McCain blocks it.
Hermann has had enough of the clinch but McCain keeps him there for the moment.
Hermann controlling the action here for a moment.
McCain throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Hermann showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Hermann tries to close the distance and clinch but McCain swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hermann cracks McCain with a right hand to the side of the head.
McCain lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McCain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCain swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hermann.
Good leg kick by McCain.
McCain moves away from the strike by Hermann.
McCain with a body punch. A glancing blow.

McCain closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
McCain lands with a right to the head.
McCain swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hermann takes a shot to the head.
Hermann can't find room to land a body shot as McCain controls the action.
McCain misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hermann struggles to land a body shot inside as McCain controls his hands.
A shot in the inside from McCain.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCain is leaning against Hermann and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hermann blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McCain misses with a body punch.

Hermann breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Hermann.
McCain tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hermann manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McCain lands a nice looking body shot.
McCain slips under a jab.
McCain scores with a sloppy right hand. Hermann should have avoided that one.
Good shot there by McCain.
McCain ducks under a wild hook from Hermann.
Hermann connects with a nice looking jab.
Hermann throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCain misses with an uppercut. Hermann saw that one coming.
Hermann looks to land a right hand but McCain moved out of range.
Hermann throws a hook to the side of McCain's head but McCain sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A lazy left from McCain finds it's target.
McCain uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hermann.
Nice body punch from McCain.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hermann takes a swing at McCain's ribcage but misses.
Hermann stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McCain.
McCain misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermann looks to throw the jab but McCain is out of range.
McCain turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hermann's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
McCain moves to clinch but Hermann breaks away
and Hermann counters with a straight right hand.
Hermann misses with a looping right.
Hermann throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCain tries to clinch but Hermann is having none of it.
McCain fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hermann is out of range.

McCain closes the distance and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McCain as Hermann tries to tie him up.
Hermann misses with a body punch.
McCain misses with the head strike.
McCain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McCain scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Good body shot from McCain.
McCain tries to work over Hermann's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McCain misses with some punches.
McCain lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermann prevents a body shot from McCain.
Hermann tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCain's elbow.
McCain lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hermann backwards.
McCain misses with a body punch.
Hermann lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McCain backwards.
McCain tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hermann's elbow.
Hermann misses with a punch to the body.
A short body shot lands from McCain as the two fighters clinch.
McCain has a couple of punches blocked by Hermann.
A short right from McCain on the inside.
Hermann scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McCain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hermann prevents a body shot from McCain.
A short right from Hermann on the inside.
McCain tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hermann misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hermann.
McCain misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Hermann on the inside.
McCain tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hermann's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCain tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hermann's elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hermann.
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!
Hermann tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCain pushes Hermann back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
McCain misses with the head strike.
Hermann makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hermann softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
McCain blocks a body shot from Hermann.
Hermann lands a body punch.
McCain goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hermann is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but McCain is keeping busy.
Hermann working aggressively here.
McCain misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McCain misses with a hook from the clinch.
McCain can't find room to land a body shot as Hermann controls the action.
Hermann tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McCain throws a head punch that misses.
McCain misses with a body punch.
A right handed body shot lands from McCain.

And that's the end of the fight!
John McCain showed his dominance in that final round.
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 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

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