PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nuri Jafar (ranked 1409 p4p, 628 weight class) and Mike McLaughlin (ranked 153 p4p, 83 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Nuri Jafar has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Nuri Jafar seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Jafar
vs
McLaughlin

175 cm
34
145
32 - 23 - 0

178 cm
38
148
30 - 13 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Core Combat

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nuri Jafar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike McLaughlin!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McLaughlin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jafar.
Jafar on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Jafar lands with a hook. McLaughlin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Jafar throws a lazy right hand but McLaughlin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McLaughlin! But no joy.
Jafar swings for the body but McLaughlin moves out of range.
Jafar lands a jab to the nose.
McLaughlin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jafar looks to score with a jab to the body but McLaughlin is just out of range.
Jafar tries to clinch up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've been informed that McLaughlin 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McLaughlin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McLaughlin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jafar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
I was talking to Jafar's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A short right from McLaughlin.
Jafar tries to work over McLaughlin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jafar lands with a short head shot on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jafar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jafar blocks a body shot from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin has a couple of punches blocked by Jafar.
Jafar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jafar lands with a light punch inside.
McLaughlin lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jafar.
McLaughlin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McLaughlin misses with the head strike.
Jafar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McLaughlin.
McLaughlin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jafar lands with a short shot to the head.
McLaughlin misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from McLaughlin.
Jafar lands a shot to the body.
Jafar misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jafar.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McLaughlin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Jafar lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McLaughlin backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McLaughlin blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Jafar fails to land.
McLaughlin blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jafar working aggressively here.
Jafar misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McLaughlin struggles to land a body shot inside as Jafar controls his hands.
McLaughlin lands with a right to the head.
Jafar digs a right hand underneath McLaughlin's ribcage. McLaughlin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
McLaughlin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jafar misses with some punches.
McLaughlin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McLaughlin lands an uppercut.
McLaughlin working aggressively here.
Jafar blocks a body shot from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin misses with a hook to the ribs.
McLaughlin tries to work over Jafar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from McLaughlin fails to land.
McLaughlin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McLaughlin blocking some punches.
Jafar misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Jafar fails to land.
Jafar working aggressively here.
McLaughlin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jafar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jafar misses with a punch on the inside.
McLaughlin misses with some punches.
Still in the clinch, Jafar scores with a nice short uppercut.
Jafar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McLaughlin scores with a nice hook to the head.
Jafar swings wildly with an uppercut but McLaughlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
McLaughlin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Jafar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McLaughlin working aggressively here.
McLaughlin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jafar misses with a punch to the body.
Jafar lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McLaughlin working aggressively here.
McLaughlin has a couple of punches blocked by Jafar.
McLaughlin scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McLaughlin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McLaughlin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McLaughlin cracks Jafar with a nice body shot.
Jafar has a couple of punches blocked by McLaughlin.
A left hand lands to the body for McLaughlin.
Jafar blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Jafars head.
Jafar tries a body shot but McLaughlin blocks it.
Jafar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
McLaughlin throws a punch but it's blocked by Jafar.
McLaughlin blocks a body shot from Jafar.
Jafar gets through McLaughlin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McLaughlin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Jafar backwards.
McLaughlin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jafar gets through McLaughlin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McLaughlin lands a hook that snaps the head of Jafar backwards.
McLaughlin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jafar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McLaughlin lands a shoulder strike.
McLaughlin misses with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McLaughlin.
Jafar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McLaughlin's elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McLaughlin blocks an uppercut.
McLaughlin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice right hand lands inside from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McLaughlin lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Jafar is rocked!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike McLaughlin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jafar moves into the clinch successfully.
McLaughlin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Jafar.
Jafar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from McLaughlin fails to land.
McLaughlin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jafar throws a head punch that misses.
Jafar tries a body shot but McLaughlin blocks it.
Jafar throws a punch but it's blocked by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McLaughlin misses with a short punch on the inside.
McLaughlin misses with a short punch on the inside.
McLaughlin misses with a hook from the clinch.
McLaughlin misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jafar blocking some punches.
McLaughlin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jafar digs a right hand underneath McLaughlin's ribcage. McLaughlin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McLaughlin.
McLaughlin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McLaughlin tries to throw a body punch but Jafar avoids it by throwing McLaughlin back against the cage.
Jafar scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaughlin throws a head punch that misses.
Jafar misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jafar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McLaughlin takes a shot to the head.
McLaughlin lands an uppercut.
Jafar throws a punch but it's blocked by McLaughlin.
Jafar scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McLaughlin takes a shot to the head.
McLaughlin pushes Jafar back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Jafar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jafar.
Jafar swings wildly with an uppercut but McLaughlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jafar misses with a hook from the clinch.
McLaughlin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jafar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McLaughlin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Jafar or not.

McLaughlin manages to break the clinch.
Jafar scores with a sloppy right hand. McLaughlin 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!
McLaughlin slips a straight right by Jafar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin misses the jab.
Jafar fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McLaughlin on the side of the head.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
A little feinted left hand from Jafar on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McLaughlin just misses with a punch to the body.
McLaughlin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nuri Jafar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McLaughlin throws a shot to the body.
McLaughlin comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McLaughlin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Jafar swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McLaughlin looks to score with a jab to the body but Jafar is just out of range.
McLaughlin connects with a jab.
McLaughlin scores with a nice right hand.
McLaughlin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jafar.
McLaughlin throws out a counter right but Jafar avoids it with no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jafar moves away from the strike by McLaughlin.
Jafar tries to clinch up.
McLaughlin is looking to clinch but Jafar is avoiding it.
Jafar tries to counter by clinching up but McLaughlin breaks away and moves out of range.
Jafar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Jafar gets a clinch.
Jafar tries to work over McLaughlin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McLaughlin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McLaughlin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McLaughlin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jafar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jafar.
Jafar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McLaughlin misses with the head strike.
Jafar lands a shot to the body.
McLaughlin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McLaughlin swings wildly with an uppercut but Jafar uses good head movement to avoid it.

McLaughlin breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McLaughlin just misses with a punch to the body.
Jafar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jafar misses with a hook to the body
and McLaughlin counters with a stiff right hand.
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!
Jafar lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Jafar tries to clinch up
and McLaughlin counters with a straight right hand.
Jafar misses with a hook. McLaughlin ducked under it nicely.
McLaughlin throws out a counter right but Jafar avoids it with no problem.
Jafar misses with a looping right.
It seemed like McLaughlin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

McLaughlin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McLaughlin scores with a hook to the body.
McLaughlin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McLaughlin lands a nice shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mike McLaughlin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Jafar tries to clinch but McLaughlin moves away
and McLaughlin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jafar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McLaughlin moves away.
Jafar throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McLaughlin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jafar keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McLaughlin.
A slow jab from McLaughlin misses its intended target.
McLaughlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McLaughlin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jafar throws out a loose jab but McLaughlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jafar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaughlin manages to avoid it.
McLaughlin only half commits to the counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jafar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaughlin manages to avoid it.
Jafar's corner calls for a 1-2. Jafar obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
McLaughlin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Jafar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jafar misses with a lunging right hand
and McLaughlin counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jafar misses with a looping right.
Jafar shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McLaughlin as he jumps to the side.
A little jabbing left from McLaughlin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Jafar changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McLaughlin tries to avoid it but Jafar manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McLaughlin to the ground. McLaughlin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McLaughlin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McLaughlin connects with a body shot that sends Jafar's belly button to the back.
Jafar throws a predictable looking body shot
and McLaughlin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Oh Jafar is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jafar uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McLaughlin.
Mike McLaughlin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jafar scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jafar seems to have got his legs back now.
Jafar fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Jafar will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nuri Jafar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jafar throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McLaughlin counters with a stiff right hand.
Jafar tries to close the distance and clinch but McLaughlin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jafar misses with a jab to the body
and McLaughlin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nuri Jafar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Jafar. Beautiful body shot.

Jafar drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Jafar is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, McLaughlin has escaped the position, nice work there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jafar misses with the ground and pound.

Jafar decides to stand back up. Jafar steps back and let's McLaughlin get back to his feet.
Jafar connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
McLaughlin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McLaughlin wants it to stay on the feet.
The fighters circling - McLaughlin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jafar misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jafar misses with a body shot.
Jafar lands with a good body shot.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
A jab from Jafar misses.
Jafar shoots and misses
and McLaughlin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McLaughlin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McLaughlin is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Jafar with a body shot.
Jafar misses with a looping right.
A nice side step and McLaughlin releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
McLaughlin misses the shot to the body.
Jafar lands with a cross.
A decent looking cross lands there for Jafar.
McLaughlin misses with an uppercut
and Jafar counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McLaughlin throws a quick inside leg kick.
Jafar fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jafar looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

McLaughlin has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Jafar off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McLaughlin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Jafar at a distance.
McLaughlin ducks under a wild hook from Jafar.
McLaughlin walks into a straight right hand from Jafar.
Jafar misses with a straight right.
Jafar connects with a crisp jab.
McLaughlin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike McLaughlin.
Well McLaughlin 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike McLaughlin!
Mike McLaughlin was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
Nuri Jafar was interviewed post fight and said 'He did not follow the script'.