PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lucas McCain (ranked 2051 p4p, 2370 weight class) and James Rocksteady (ranked 276 p4p, 313 weight class). Rocksteady is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Red Right Hand. Lucas McCain has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McCain
vs
Rocksteady

190 cm
21
205
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
21
205
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lucas McCain !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, James Rocksteady!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Summer Carpenter and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rocksteady is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in McCain 's half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
McCain regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Rocksteady.
McCain will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rocksteady throws a big right hand that misses.
Rocksteady trying to control the position from guard on top but McCain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rocksteady working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rocksteady is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocksteady trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocksteady trying to control but McCain is working from the bottom.
Rocksteady throwing strikes from guard but McCain blocks nicely.
Rocksteady wants to pass the guard but McCain is keeping the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rocksteady forces his way into half guard.
Rocksteady is looking to stall here but McCain recovers full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rocksteady throws a big right hand that misses.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Rocksteady working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Rocksteady throws a big right hand that misses.
McCain keeping moving, preventing Rocksteady from controlling successfully.
Rocksteady in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rocksteady passes McCain 's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rocksteady seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocksteady thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McCain looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McCain goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Rocksteady has closed the distance and engaged McCain in a clinch.
McCain misses with a body punch.
Rocksteady has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McCain avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McCain wants to get back to striking at distance but Rocksteady won't allow it.
McCain lands a hook that snaps the head of Rocksteady backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocksteady struggles to land a body shot inside as McCain controls his hands.
Rocksteady fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McCain gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rocksteady.
McCain lands a body shot.
Rocksteady has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McCain is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lucas McCain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Rocksteady.
McCain tries a body shot but Rocksteady blocks it.
McCain misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rocksteady makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McCain gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rocksteady.

McCain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've been told by McCain 's head coaches at Rivers Edge Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Rocksteady bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

McCain sneaks out the side door and pushes Rocksteady away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rocksteady throws a poor cross that misses
and McCain counters with a nice uppercut.
McCain misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McCain is looking to slow Rocksteady down with leg kicks.
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 Lucas McCain will probably get the nod.
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.

McCain throws a front kick aimed at Rocksteady's knee but Rocksteady avoids it well.
McCain scores with a jab to the jaw.
McCain bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rocksteady jabs McCain right on the nose. McCain blinks but takes it well.
Rocksteady fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCain manages to avoid it.
McCain misses with a body shot.
McCain takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McCain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rocksteady thuds a left hand into McCain 's body.

Rocksteady pushes McCain up against the cage in a clinch.
McCain gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rocksteady.
McCain struggles to land a body shot inside as Rocksteady controls his hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Rocksteady shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rocksteady throws a strike but McCain rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rocksteady is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocksteady bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McCain 's guard.

Rocksteady postures up in McCain 's guard and throws a big left but McCain blocks it.
Rocksteady lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rocksteady throws an elbow that misses. McCain uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rocksteady's guard. Nice move by McCain !

McCain wanted to stand there but Rocksteady had control of the position.

Rocksteady has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. McCain is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Rocksteady.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocksteady gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rocksteady manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rocksteady working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McCain doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McCain manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

McCain got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rocksteady has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McCain has managed to get both his arms back between Rocksteady's legs - danger averted.
McCain has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCain postures up.
Rocksteady looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rocksteady is striking from the bottom but McCain uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
McCain has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Rocksteady works to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rocksteady bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McCain 's guard.

Rocksteady throws a big elbow that misses.
Rocksteady slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rocksteady working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rocksteady throws a big elbow that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Rocksteady showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rocksteady forces McCain back against the cage and clinches.
McCain gets underhooks to prevent Rocksteady's takedown attempt.
A short right from Rocksteady.
A short body shot lands from McCain as the two fighters clinch.
Rocksteady has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McCain after a bit of a struggle.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as McCain takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
McCain is pressed up against the cage. Rocksteady has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McCain down to the mat. McCain avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lucas McCain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Rocksteady.
Rocksteady shoots and misses
and McCain counters with a stiff right hand.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rocksteady or perhaps it was just good defense by McCain , which made it look bad.
McCain feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Rocksteadys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
McCain is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocksteady closes the distance but McCain moves to the side
and McCain counters with a straight right hand.
McCain misses with a low kick.
Rocksteady doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McCain counters with a nice right hand that sends Rocksteady toppling to the canvas! Rocksteady scrambles and gets back to his feet - can McCain finish him?!

Rocksteady is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocksteady throws a poor cross that misses
and McCain scores with a counter punch that sends Rocksteady to the canvas! McCain smells blood - he's punishing Rocksteady with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Rocksteady has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:06 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lucas McCain !
An out of breath Lucas McCain thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.