PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Harley Bird (ranked 25055 p4p, 23167 weight class) and Mitch McGee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying McGee's choice of entrance music: Survivor - Eye of the Tiger. Mitch McGee will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Bird
vs
McGee

168 cm
19
182
1 - 2 - 0

200 cm
28
180
3 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great low kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Harley Bird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mitch McGee!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Andrew Berry and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGee throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bird.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bird enables McGee to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bird manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
McGee stands up over Bird, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

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

Bird had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McGee defends it easily.
McGee trying to control but Bird is working from the bottom.

Bird is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McGee controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGee passes Bird's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Bird is trying to control but can't.
Bird might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
McGee working Bird over with strikes.

Bird actively working from the bottom here.
McGee seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Nice strikes from McGee there.
McGee is looking to take a break and control but Bird is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Bird looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGee lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Bird looking for submissions off his back.
McGee is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Bird is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McGee pulls his head out easily.
McGee working Bird over with strikes.
Bird is staying active underneath McGee, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McGee wants to pass to mount but Bird is defending the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGee scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
McGee lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bird is refusing to be controlled, as McGee sits in half guard.
McGee seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
McGee working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
McGee is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
McGee keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
McGee working the head and body with strikes.

Bird looking for submissions off his back.

Bird is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McGee pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from McGee there.
McGee trying to control the pace.
McGee slips a nice elbow through Bird's hands, connecting with Bird's forehead.
McGee working Bird over with strikes.

Bird actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McGee seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bird does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

McGee is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
McGee drops an elbow to the side of Bird's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mitch McGee dominated that round.
That's time! Bird's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McGee closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bird did well to prevent McGee getting side control.
McGee really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bird. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McGee takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
McGee lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bird has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Bird looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bird trying to control here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGee is figuring out what he wants to do next.

McGee stands up out of the half guard.

McGee scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bird is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McGee pulls his head out easily.

McGee stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Bird to get to his feet.
Mitch McGee seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bird closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGee circles away.

McGee moves into the clinch.

McGee breaks the clinch.

McGee feints and as Bird raises his hands in defense, McGee changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
McGee has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McGee scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

McGee stands up from Bird's guard - McGee perhaps looking for a knockout.

McGee forces Bird back against the cage and clinches.

McGee is trying to trip Bird. He has hold of a leg but Bird is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. McGee persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
McGee pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bird is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGee controls from within his opponent's guard.
McGee scoring with some ground and pound.
Bird keeping moving, preventing McGee from controlling successfully.
McGee lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Bird throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

McGee got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bird has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McGee has managed to get both his arms back between Bird's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bird is working an open guard so McGee takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

McGee closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Bird's guard.
McGee working some strikes from top position.
Bird keeping moving, preventing McGee from controlling successfully.

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

McGee shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bird manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bird keeping moving, preventing McGee from controlling successfully.
McGee postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

McGee stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGee stuns Bird with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

McGee has taken the fight to the clinch.
McGee lands a body punch.

McGee works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
McGee working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bird's head.
McGee is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Mitch McGee has got the better of the ground game so far.
McGee working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
McGee is in close to Bird's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McGee scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
McGee sitting in guard, not really doing much.

McGee decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bird, up you get!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mitch McGee showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Bird's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McGee drives through with a takedown into guard.

McGee stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Bird tries to bum rush McGee with a series of wild strikes but McGee uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

McGee has managed to clinch.
Bird wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bird throws a punch but it's blocked by McGee.

McGee has Bird pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. McGee pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Bird tumbling to the mat - McGee dives into Bird's guard.

Bird had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McGee defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

McGee stands up and waves to Bird to follow him.
Bird fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGee fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Bird to the ground. McGee is now in Bird's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGee is in close to Bird's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McGee is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McGee is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Bird looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
McGee postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
McGee cracks Bird with a solid left hand.
McGee has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA New York. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
McGee lands a couple of elbows.
McGee working some strikes from top position.
McGee distracts Bird with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
McGee trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGee is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

McGee decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bird, up you get!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

McGee has picked Bird up - he's going for a ride! McGee dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

McGee decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
McGee moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Harley Bird has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Bird gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
McGee controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bird had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McGee defends it easily.

McGee stands and steps away. Bird gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

McGee instigates a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for McGee.

McGee has hold of one of Bird's legs. Bird is fighting the takedown attempt but McGee gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
McGee trying to control but Bird is working from the bottom.

McGee stands up and waves to Bird to follow him.

McGee gets a double leg takedown into Bird's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McGee stands up over Bird, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
McGee pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bird is keeping the position for now.
McGee trying to control but Bird is working from the bottom.
Bird has momentary wrist control but McGee slips an elbow through the middle.
McGee lands a couple of elbows.
McGee with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Bird has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McGee can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Harley Bird has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mitch McGee is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McGee engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mitch McGee comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McGee 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 26:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mitch McGee!