PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between William OConnor (ranked 6061 p4p, 4561 weight class) and Mat Cauthon (ranked 0 p4p, 533 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

OConnor
vs
Cauthon

183 cm
23
190
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
185
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, William OConnor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mat Cauthon!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Fedor Mirinova and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OConnor avoids the body shot from Cauthon.
OConnor tries to close the distance and clinch but Cauthon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cauthon scores with a jab. OConnor acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
OConnor is looking to clinch but Cauthon is avoiding it.
OConnor wants to clinch up but Cauthon keeps it at a distance.
OConnor throws a head kick but Cauthon moves out of range.
OConnor 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.
Cauthon tries to clinch up but OConnor circles away and keeps his distance.
Cauthon shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
OConnor appears to be looking for a big counter.
OConnor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cauthon.
OConnor appears to be looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cauthon shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. OConnor defends it nicely.

OConnor gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConnor can't find room to land a body shot as Cauthon controls the action.
OConnor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cauthon's elbow.
Cauthon is trying to force a seperation but OConnor has the dominant position.

OConnor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cauthon shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as OConnor sprawls well. OConnor wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cauthon gets slowly back to his feet.
William OConnor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mat Cauthon.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cauthon looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
OConnor tries to clinch but Cauthon is having none of it.

OConnor instigates a clinch.
OConnor misses with a body punch.
OConnor tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
OConnor unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cauthon lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OConnor tries to pull guard but Cauthon holds him up against the cage and eventually OConnor drops back down to his feet.
OConnor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
OConnor has Cauthon pressed against the cage, preventing Cauthon from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cauthon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
OConnor lands a knee to the body.
Cauthon looks winded!
A frustrated look appears on Cauthon's face as he tries to break the clinch.
OConnor crunches a lovely knee into Cauthon's ribcage.

OConnor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cauthon misses with a takedown attempt

and OConnor holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
OConnor slows down the pace here.
OConnor lands a good knee to the midsection. Cauthon won't want to take too many of those.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
OConnor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cauthon on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
OConnor using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
OConnor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
OConnor lands a damaging elbow.
OConnor tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cauthon avoiding damage as OConnor throws knees to the body.
OConnor lands a damaging elbow.
OConnor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
OConnor manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
OConnor is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cauthon is defending well for now.
Cauthon on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
OConnor using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
OConnor lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cauthon wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cauthon is trying to break the clinch but OConnor is controlling him.
OConnor lands an elbow that stopped Cauthon in his tracks for a moment.
OConnor utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
OConnor tries to land knees in the clinch but Cauthon avoids the damage 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!
OConnor misses with the head strike.
Cauthon is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
OConnor landing knees to the head.
OConnor misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cauthon.
OConnor trying to land knees to the body.
Cauthon avoiding damage as OConnor throws knees to the body.
OConnor works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William OConnor dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cauthon doesn't manage to clinch there - OConnor circles away.
Cauthon tries to land a front kick but OConnor steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
OConnor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cauthon doesn't manage to clinch there - OConnor circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cauthon!

OConnor pushes Cauthon up against the cage in a clinch.
OConnor missing with knees to the body.
Cauthon has had enough of the clinch but OConnor keeps him there for the moment.
Cauthon takes an elbow to the temple.
OConnor misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cauthon.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OConnor lands an elbow inside that Cauthon shrugs off.
Cauthon looking for a takedown.
William OConnor has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Cauthon on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cauthon takes a knee to the side of the body.
Cauthon is breathing heavily.
OConnor scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cauthon can't get the takedown.
OConnor lands a nice knee to the body.
OConnor is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cauthon can do to turn this around?
OConnor landing some nice looking knees to the body.
OConnor struggles to land a body shot inside as Cauthon controls his hands.
OConnor putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cauthon in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
OConnor misses with a punch on the inside.
OConnor is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Cauthon managing to block the knees to the body from OConnor.
OConnor landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Cauthon on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
OConnor swings wildly with an uppercut but Cauthon uses good head movement to avoid it.
OConnor tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cauthon avoids it.
OConnor using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cauthon has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OConnor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cauthon blocks a body shot from OConnor.
OConnor scores a nice knee to the body.
OConnor is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cauthon is defending well for now.
OConnor lands a good knee to the midsection. Cauthon won't want to take too many of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OConnor unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cauthon lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Cauthon takes an elbow to the forehead.
OConnor is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cauthon is defending well for now.
OConnor putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cauthon in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by OConnor.
Cauthon takes a knee to the side of the body.
OConnor lands an elbow inside that Cauthon shrugs off.
OConnor lands an elbow inside that Cauthon shrugs off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConnor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cauthon's elbow.
OConnor is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cauthon is defending well for now.
OConnor lands an elbow inside.

OConnor pulls guard.
OConnor is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Cauthon gets to his feet. OConnor looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

OConnor clinches up against the cage.
Cauthon is trying to push OConnor away but OConnor has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cauthon is trying to break free.
OConnor utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Cauthon blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OConnor with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
OConnor misses with a punch to the body.
OConnor fails to pull guard.
OConnor crunches a lovely knee into Cauthon's ribcage.
OConnor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knees in the clinch landing for OConnor.
OConnor is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cauthon is defending well for now.
Nice elbow from OConnor.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
OConnor lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cauthon blocks an uppercut.
OConnor lands a nice knee to the body.
OConnor tries to land knees in the clinch but Cauthon avoids the damage to the body.
Knees to the body from OConnor.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William OConnor dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

OConnor gets a clinch.
Cauthon letting OConnor take a breather here.

OConnor breaks the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from OConnor as Cauthon shoots in.
OConnor fails with an attempt to clinch.

OConnor clinches up against the cage.
Knees to the body from OConnor.
OConnor lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OConnor misses with a hook to the ribs.
OConnor is trying to pull guard but Cauthon has him pressed against the cage.
Cauthon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
OConnor misses with a hook to the ribs.
OConnor avoiding damage.
Cauthon working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConnor unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cauthon lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

OConnor manages to break the clinch.
Cauthon avoids the head kick by OConnor.

OConnor fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cauthon, pushing him back against the cage.
OConnor tries to throw a body punch but Cauthon avoids it by throwing OConnor back against the cage.
OConnor tries to throw a body punch but Cauthon avoids it by throwing OConnor back against the cage.
OConnor misses with a punch to the body.
OConnor tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cauthon avoids it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for OConnor.
Cauthon working hard to break the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for OConnor.
OConnor lands an elbow inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OConnor trying to land knees to the body.
Cauthon takes an elbow to the temple.
OConnor swings wildly with an uppercut but Cauthon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cauthon takes an elbow to the forehead.
OConnor lands an elbow that stopped Cauthon in his tracks for a moment.
Cauthon is trying to force a seperation but OConnor has the dominant position.
Cauthon blocking some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OConnor tries a body shot but Cauthon blocks it.
Cauthon tries to break the clinch but OConnor is controlling the position.

OConnor manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
OConnor controlling Cauthon's posture.
OConnor is trying to keep Cauthon in close.
William OConnor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cauthon stands up from OConnor's guard - Cauthon perhaps looking for a knockout.
Cauthon looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
OConnor keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
OConnor tries to clinch but Cauthon is having none of it.
A punch combination from Cauthon misses.
OConnor seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
OConnor wants to clinch up but Cauthon keeps it at a distance.
OConnor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mat Cauthon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
OConnor tries to clinch but Cauthon is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cauthon throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
OConnor appears to be looking for a big counter.

OConnor gets in close and instigates a clinch.
OConnor misses with a hook from the clinch.
OConnor tries to land knees in the clinch but Cauthon avoids the damage to the body.
OConnor unloads a knee to the mid-section.
OConnor has Cauthon pressed against the cage.
Cauthon wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

And that's the end of the fight!
William OConnor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for OConnor, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:26
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:26
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William OConnor!