PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dougal McCraken (ranked 157 p4p, 456 weight class) and Ruslan Danilov (ranked 26 p4p, 74 weight class). McCraken comes into the arena with Bulgine blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Ruslan Danilov enters the cage!

McCraken
vs
Danilov

184 cm
37
171
29 - 17 - 0

185 cm
34
180
25 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Conquer
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

PWNAGE Elite - $25 Tees

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dougal McCraken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ruslan Danilov!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from McCraken does it's job there.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Danilov, as that shot connected.
McCraken tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Danilov throws a body kick that misses
and McCraken connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Danilov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Danilov looks to land a left hand but McCraken moved out of range nicely.
Danilov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Danilov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McCraken has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Chakuriki LA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Danilov lands a leg kick that knocks McCraken off balance momentarily.
Danilov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McCraken counters with an outside leg kick.
A low kick from Danilov misses
and McCraken counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCraken tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Danilov was well out of range. Poor timing from McCraken.
And Danilov tries to counter it with a takedown but McCraken pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Danilov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McCraken stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Danilov looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danilov misses with a looping right.
McCraken on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Good shot there by Danilov.
Danilov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McCraken on the side of the head.
McCraken circles away from the clinch attempt.
Danilov fails with the takedown
letting McCraken counter with a right hand.

Danilov closes the distance and clinches.
McCraken misses with the head strike.
McCraken lands a nice shot to the body.
McCraken misses with a punch on the inside.
McCraken misses with a punch to the body.
McCraken throws a punch but it's blocked by Danilov.
McCraken struggles to land a body shot inside as Danilov controls his hands.
Danilov struggles to land a body shot inside as McCraken controls his hands.
Danilov with a knee to the head.
McCraken throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCraken lands a hook that snaps the head of Danilov backwards.
Danilov blocks a body shot from McCraken.
McCraken lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Danilov.
McCraken tries to throw a body punch but Danilov avoids it by throwing McCraken back against the cage.
Danilov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McCraken.
Danilov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Knees to the body from Danilov.
McCraken doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McCraken tries to throw a body punch but Danilov avoids it by throwing McCraken back against the cage.
A short body shot lands from McCraken as the two fighters clinch.
McCraken misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Danilov effectively controlling the action here.
Danilov displaying some good clinch control by pressing McCraken up against the cage.
Danilov continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
A short right from Danilov.
McCraken tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McCraken lands a hook to the side of the head.
Danilov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. McCraken seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Danilov can turn it around.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Danilov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Danilov lands a nice uppercut.
Danilov lands a nice uppercut.
McCraken lands an uppercut.

McCraken manages to break the clinch.
McCraken tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McCraken throws a body shot but no joy.
McCraken throws a head kick but Danilov moves out of range.
Danilov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
McCraken darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A low kick lands for McCraken.
Danilov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A head kick misses from McCraken.
A head kick by Danilov misses
and McCraken counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four 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!
A bone on bone clash there as McCraken blocks the leg kick.
McCraken fires out a quick counter leg kick but Danilov just manages to avoid it.
McCraken changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
McCraken avoids a punch combination nicely.
A big left from McCraken misses.
Danilov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
McCraken throws the left hand but Danilov avoids the punch easily.
Danilov with the counter takedown but McCraken avoids it easily.
Danilov throws a body punch but McCraken moves out of range.
Danilov throws a low kick but McCraken avoids it.
Danilov swings away with a body shot that misses
and McCraken makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Danilov throws out a leg kick but McCraken moves out of range and Danilov only half commits.
Danilov throws a leg kick but McCraken moved away.
Danilov misses with a body shot
enabling McCraken to counter with a crisp jab.
Danilov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McCraken counters with a left to the body.
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 Dougal McCraken will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

McCraken takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McCraken throws an off balance right hand
and Danilov counters with a leg kick.
Danilov misses with a straight right.
It looked like McCraken wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Danilov throws a right hand that misses
and McCraken counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Danilov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Danilov looks to score with a jab to the body but McCraken is just out of range.
McCraken walks into a left hand.
A jab from Danilov does it's job there.
McCraken throws a head kick but Danilov moves out of range.
Dougal McCraken is winning the standup battle so far.
McCraken misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCraken on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
McCraken uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Danilov.
McCraken moves out of range of the body kick.
Danilov throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and McCraken counters with a three punch combo that has Danilov backing up. Danilov nods at McCraken to acknowledge the strikes.
Ruslan Danilov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from McCraken misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCraken slips a jab and a cross from Danilov.
McCraken misses with a looping left.
Danilov throws a big shot that misses.
McCraken appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Danilov lands a nice shot to the body.
Danilov lands a nice shot that snaps McCraken's head back.
Danilov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Some wild striking there from McCraken.
McCraken connects with a leg kick.
Danilov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McCraken on the side of the head.
McCraken throws out a loose jab but Danilov uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCraken jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danilov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
McCraken throws a hook to the side of Danilov's head but Danilov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A head kick by Danilov misses
and McCraken counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCraken takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
McCraken checks the leg kick nicely there.
A low kick from Danilov is predictable there
and McCraken connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A nice leg kick lands there from Danilov.
McCraken stuns Danilov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Danilov misses with a body shot.
A quick step to the side and McCraken tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
That kick from McCraken tenderised Danilov's leg. Danilov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Dougal McCraken is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Danilov throws a front kick aimed at McCraken's knee but McCraken avoids it well.
McCraken throws a lazy head kick

and Danilov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McCraken's guard.
Danilov throws an elbow that misses. McCraken uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Danilov's guard. Nice move by McCraken!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Danilov wants to sweep here but McCraken controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCraken wants to pass the guard but Danilov is keeping the position.
McCraken is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Danilov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McCraken stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Danilov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCraken wants to control from the top but Danilov keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Danilov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McCraken controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Danilov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McCraken is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Danilov looking to hit a scissor sweep but McCraken is one step ahead there.
McCraken wants to control from the top but Danilov keeps moving.
Danilov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ruslan Danilov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Danilov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Some bone on bone action there as McCraken checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McCraken thinks about countering with a body kick.
McCraken lunges at Danilov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Danilov's hand.
McCraken lands with a good body shot.
Danilov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Danilov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
McCraken throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A lazy body kick from Danilov
and Danilov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Danilov connects with a body shot.
Danilov throws a poor cross that misses
and McCraken counters with a nice uppercut.
Danilov lands with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Danilov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Danilov catches McCraken with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
McCraken moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCraken wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McCraken missing with a left hand there. Danilov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McCraken is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nice shot by Danilov.
Danilov darts in looking for a takedown but McCraken gets double underhooks and turns Danilov into the cage.
McCraken getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Danilov throws a left and a right that both miss
and McCraken counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Danilov thinking.
Danilov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Danilov misses with a body kick.
Nice defenses there by McCraken.
McCraken feinted there with a counter leg kick.

Danilov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. McCraken tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Danilov is in McCraken's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCraken is controlling Danilov's posture.
McCraken being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCraken looking to hit a scissor sweep but Danilov is one step ahead there.
McCraken trying to control the position.
Danilov wants to control from the top but McCraken keeps moving.
Danilov wants to pass the guard but McCraken is keeping the position.
McCraken pulls Danilov in to control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCraken trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Danilov misses the jab.
Danilov tries to close the distance and clinch but McCraken swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McCraken takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A low kick lands for Danilov.
Danilov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Danilov misses with a few strikes there.
McCraken throws a body shot but no joy.
McCraken throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
McCraken throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Danilov with the counter takedown but McCraken avoids it easily.
Danilov missing with a left hand there. McCraken was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A little feinted left hand from McCraken on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McCraken feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Danilovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
McCraken lands an overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Danilov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging McCraken to the ground. Danilov is now in McCraken's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Danilov postures up.
Danilov trying to control but McCraken is working from the bottom.
McCraken tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McCraken is trying to control the position but Danilov postures up.
McCraken looking to hit a scissor sweep but Danilov is one step ahead there.
McCraken manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Danilov manages to get himself to full guard.

Danilov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McCraken's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dougal McCraken.
I think McCraken 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dougal McCraken!
A relieved looking Dougal McCraken thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.