PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ife Edwards (ranked 886 p4p, 1806 weight class) and Dalton McConnell (ranked 116 p4p, 251 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Edwards might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Damian Marley - Road to Zion. McConnell comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Reason kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Ife Edwards has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Edwards
vs
McConnell

189 cm
26
193
14 - 7 - 0

180 cm
28
189
16 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ife Edwards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dalton McConnell!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McConnell tries to close the distance and clinch but Edwards swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McConnell loads up on a big right hand but Edwards slips the punch.
The fighters circling - Edwards throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McConnell scores with a crisp jab that stopped Edwards in his tracks.
McConnell misses the shot to the body.
Edwards swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
McConnell wants to clinch up but Edwards keeps it at a distance.
We've been told by Edwards's head coaches at Crassus that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Edwards checks a low kick from McConnell.

McConnell has Edwards up against the cage in a clinch.
McConnell blocking some punches.
McConnell working aggressively here.
Edwards makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Edwards misses with a hook to the ribs.
Edwards lands with a right to the head.
Edwards can't find room to land a body shot as McConnell controls the action.
Edwards lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've been informed that McConnell has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Edwards taking a breather.
Edwards goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Edwards has McConnell pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards lands a shoulder strike.
Edwards lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Edwards's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Edwards prevents a body shot from McConnell.
McConnell lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Edwards.
McConnell goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by McConnell.
McConnell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Edwards is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
McConnell's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

McConnell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McConnell swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - McConnell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McConnell looks to score with a jab to the body but Edwards is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

McConnell gets a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McConnell misses with some punches.
McConnell throws a punch but it's blocked by Edwards.
McConnell prevents a body shot from Edwards.
Edwards misses with some punches.
McConnell lands on the inside with an uppercut.
McConnell misses with a punch to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Edwards.
Edwards tries a body shot but McConnell blocks it.
McConnell prevents a body shot from Edwards.
Edwards can't find room to land a body shot as McConnell controls the action.
McConnell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McConnell lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McConnell tries to work over Edwards's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Edwards escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Edwards throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McConnell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McConnell throws a leg kick which misses Edwards's front leg but catches the back leg as Edwards tries to avoid it.

McConnell clinches with his opponent.
Edwards lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McConnell backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McConnell lands a body shot.
McConnell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McConnell scores with a nice hook to the head.
Edwards working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Edwards swings wildly with an uppercut but McConnell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Edwards can't find room to land a body shot as McConnell controls the action.
McConnell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Edwards lands a nice uppercut.
McConnell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Edwards misses with the head strike.
Edwards misses with a body punch.
McConnell can't find room to land a body shot as Edwards controls the action.
Edwards goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Edwards misses with a punch to the body.
McConnell can't find room to land a body shot as Edwards controls the action.
Edwards effectively controlling the action here.
McConnell lands a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McConnell misses with a body punch.
McConnell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A hook to the body from Edwards.
McConnell tries a body shot but Edwards blocks it.
McConnell misses with a hook to the ribs.
Edwards struggles to land a body shot inside as McConnell controls his hands.
Edwards blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Edwards pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McConnell swings away with a body shot that misses
and Edwards counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McConnell dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Edwards looks to land a left hand but McConnell moved out of range nicely.
Edwards scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McConnell doesn't seem bothered though.
Edwards connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between McConnell's hands.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Edwards - that will leave a mark!
McConnell throws a body punch but Edwards moves out of range.

McConnell clinches with his opponent.
A short right from McConnell on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ife Edwards will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

McConnell has Edwards up against the cage in a clinch.
A right hand to the body from McConnell.
McConnell prevents a body shot from Edwards.
McConnell misses with a hook to the ribs.
McConnell misses with a body punch.
Edwards is trying to stall.
McConnell gets through Edwards's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McConnell misses with a body punch.
Edwards misses with the head strike.
Edwards has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
McConnell digs a right hand into Edwards's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Edwards's gas tank.
Edwards misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McConnell lands a body punch.
McConnell works on Edwards's body with a couple of short punches.
Edwards tries to work over McConnell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Edwards tries a body shot but McConnell blocks it.
McConnell tries to work over Edwards's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McConnell lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Edwards looking to stall.
McConnell tries to pull guard but Edwards won't allow it.
McConnell presses Edwards against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Edwards goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Edwards tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McConnell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Edwards blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McConnell lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Edwards or not.
McConnell tries to work over Edwards's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Edwards lands a body punch in the clinch.
Edwards is trying to break the clinch but McConnell has him pressed against the cage.
McConnell presses Edwards against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Edwards taking a breather.
McConnell tries to work over Edwards's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dalton McConnell seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Edwards's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards misses with a short punch on the inside.
McConnell swings wildly with an uppercut but Edwards uses good head movement to avoid it.
Edwards takes a shot to the head.
Edwards doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Edwards blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Edwards tries to stall but McConnell uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Edwards prevents a body shot from McConnell.
Edwards looking to stall.
Edwards gets through McConnell's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McConnell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Edwards throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McConnells head.
McConnell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Edwards walks away with a smile on his face. McConnell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Edwards scores with a nice head shot.

McConnell closes the distance and pushes Edwards back into the cage.
Edwards tries to circle away but McConnell has him pinned against the cage.
McConnell lands a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Edwards.
Edwards working aggressively here.
Edwards tries to throw a body punch but McConnell avoids it by throwing Edwards back against the cage.
McConnell prevents a body shot from Edwards.
McConnell tries to throw a body punch but Edwards avoids it by throwing McConnell back against the cage.
McConnell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McConnell can't find room to land a body shot as Edwards controls the action.
McConnell misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Edwards.
Edwards tries to break free but McConnell pushes him back against the cage.
Edwards is stalling here.
Edwards swings wildly with an uppercut but McConnell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Edwards goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McConnell misses with a punch to the body.
Edwards letting McConnell take a breather here.
Edwards lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McConnell swings wildly with an uppercut but Edwards uses good head movement to avoid it.
Edwards tries a body shot but McConnell blocks it.
Edwards trying to control the position but instead, McConnell has worked for underhooks and has pushed Edwards into the cage.
Edwards prevents a body shot from McConnell.
McConnell tries to work over Edwards's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McConnell lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Edwards goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Edwards fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Edwards.
Edwards tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A hook to the body from Edwards.
Nice body punch from Edwards.
Edwards tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Edwards gets through McConnell's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dalton McConnell will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Edwards dips to his left and cracks McConnell with an uppercut!
Edwards swings for the body but McConnell moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Edwards. McConnell does a little dance to reset his feet.
Edwards stuns McConnell with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
McConnell looks to land a body kick but Edwards moved away.
It looked like Edwards was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from McConnell.

Edwards has McConnell up against the cage in a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Edwards doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Edwards lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Edwards fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Edwards tries to stall but McConnell uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McConnell.
Edwards lands a shoulder strike.
Edwards swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McConnell misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McConnell blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McConnell misses with a hook to the ribs.
Edwards lands a body shot in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from McConnell.
McConnell prevents a body shot from Edwards.
Edwards digs a right hand underneath McConnell's ribcage. McConnell let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Edwards can't find room to land a body shot as McConnell controls the action.
McConnell lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
McConnell wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Edwards has him pressed against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Edwards.
McConnell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Edwards breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McConnell has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Edwards finds it's way round the side to connect with McConnell's head.

McConnell is rocked!
A jab from Edwards misses.
McConnell is still on wobbly legs! Can Edwards finish him?
McConnell tries to clinch but Edwards is having none of it.
McConnell seems to have recovered his senses.
McConnell takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McConnell tries to clinch up but Edwards circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards connects with a body shot that sends McConnell's belly button to the back.
Edwards throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McConnell waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Edwards.
Edwards throws the kick towards the body but McConnell avoids it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

McConnell drives through and clinches with Edwards against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Edwards - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
McConnell taking a breather.
Edwards prevents a body shot from McConnell.
Edwards swings wildly with an uppercut but McConnell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Edwards has a couple of punches blocked by McConnell.
McConnell lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Edwards.
McConnell takes a shot to the head.

Edwards pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edwards swings for the body but McConnell moves out of range.

Edwards lands a big uppercut and McConnell crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but McConnell looks OK. Edwards waves McConnell back to his feet!
McConnell is wiping some vaseline out of his eye. Edwards doesn't give a rats ass about fair play and cracks him with a massive hook to the side of the head! McConnell crumples to the floor out cold! The cornerman is going to be in McConnell's bad books for that mishap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:13 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Ife Edwards!
After the big win, Ife Edwards made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Conviction and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
In defeat, Dalton McConnell stepped up to the mic, saying 'He got lucky tonight but I'll avenge this'.