PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dan Morgan (ranked 3752 p4p, 3379 weight class) and Jock McCann (ranked 435 p4p, 406 weight class). Morgan comes into the arena with Wellerman (Sea Shanty) blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Morgan
vs
McCann

193 cm
24
180
5 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
170
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dan Morgan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jock McCann!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morgan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Morgan gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McCann counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McCann throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A punch combination from McCann misses.
Morgan tries to counter by clinching up but McCann breaks away and moves out of range.
McCann pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Morgan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McCann pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCann avoids a punch combination nicely.

McCann closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of stalling here from Morgan.
Morgan misses with a punch to the body.
McCann is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Morgan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Morgan wants to get back to striking at distance but McCann won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Morgan turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Morgan manages to end up in side control.
McCann dodges the ground and pound from Morgan.
McCann manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

McCann seems to be looking for submissions.
McCann is looking to advance position but Morgan won't allow it.
Morgan is looking to improve his position.
Morgan pushes McCann off looking to stand but McCann dives back in and keeps control.
Morgan is trying to maintain the position but McCann is very close to passing his half guard.

McCann decides to return to a standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McCann clinches up with Morgan and pushes him back against the cage.

McCann's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McCann throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morgan fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Morgan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Morgan bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
McCann tries to buck Morgan off but Morgan is having none of it.
Morgan scores with punches from side control.

Morgan is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McCann knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
McCann sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCann moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Morgan is in close to McCann's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McCann is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Morgan postures up in McCann's guard and throws a big left but McCann blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Morgan wants to get up but he can't break McCann's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Morgan is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McCann looking to control.

McCann scrambles and gets back to his feet.

McCann rushes Morgan and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McCann creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

McCann has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Morgan uses from the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Morgan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from McCann.
Morgan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McCann's waist but McCann gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Morgan off to one side.
McCann dodges the punch combination from Morgan.
McCann looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Dan Morgan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice takedown defense from Morgan. No joy for McCann on that attempt.
McCann misses with a straight right.
Morgan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Morgan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McCann avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Morgan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCann defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Morgan.
Horrible takedown attempt by Morgan or perhaps it was just good defense by McCann, which made it look bad.
McCann wants to counter with a clinch but Morgan pushes him away.
Morgan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McCann avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
McCann is looking to clinch but Morgan is avoiding it.

McCann takes the fight into the clinch.
McCann trying to land knees to the body.
McCann working some nice short punches in the clinch.
McCann tries a body shot but Morgan blocks it.

Morgan works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

McCann has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Morgan off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice inside leg kick there by McCann. That's going to slow Morgan down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCann dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McCann pulls out of a head kick attempt.

McCann closes the distance and clinches.

McCann breaks the clinch.
McCann misses the shot to the body.
Morgan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McCann defends well and Morgan ends up having to push McCann into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
McCann is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
McCann lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McCann.
McCann jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Morgan walks away with a smile on his face. McCann gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Morgan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McCann.
McCann throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Morgan's head.
Morgan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCann.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McCann tries to clinch there but Morgan circles away.
Morgan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McCann is fending him off so far but Morgan persists. Nope, McCann circles away and we're back to standing.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from McCann - that will leave a mark!

Morgan gets a takedown into half guard.
Morgan working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on McCann's thigh. McCann counters though and makes it back to full guard.
McCann managing to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Morgan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCann is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan trying to control the position from guard on top but McCann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morgan has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of McCann is proving hard to escape from.
Morgan passes McCann's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Morgan wants to control but McCann is keeping him busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jock McCann showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Morgan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McCann swivels and escapes.
Morgan has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by McCann.
Morgan closes this distance looking for a takedown but McCann circles away.
McCann shoots in but Morgan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Morgan misses its target.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCann. Morgan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McCann as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Morgan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

McCann clinches up with Morgan and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morgan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McCann avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McCann lands a body punch.

McCann escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Morgan shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McCann manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
McCann looking to control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCann is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Morgan is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McCann avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McCann wants to sweep here but Morgan controlling him for the moment.
McCann looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
McCann keeping moving, preventing Morgan from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jock McCann seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McCann fails in his attempt to clinch.

McCann clinches up against the cage.
McCann comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
McCann is trying to drag Morgan to the mat but Morgan just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
McCann leaning his opponent against the cage.

Morgan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Morgan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McCann tries to avoid it but Morgan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McCann to the ground. McCann escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Morgan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McCann's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan trying to control but McCann is working from the bottom.
Dan Morgan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McCann looking to control.
Morgan works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Morgan is looking to advance position but McCann won't allow it.

McCann is defending against the submission attempts here by Morgan.
Morgan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
McCann is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Morgan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McCann is looking for a sweep. Morgan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Dan Morgan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McCann gets back to full guard.
Morgan throwing strikes but missing.
Jock McCann is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Morgan postures up in McCann's guard and throws a big left but McCann blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jock McCann.
I've got McCann winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jock McCann!
After the fight, Jock McCann was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
In defeat, Dan Morgan stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'll be back and better than ever'.