PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xandao Couceiro (ranked 2012 p4p, 1818 weight class) and Eddie McDermott (ranked 249 p4p, 226 weight class). Couceiro comes to the cage accompanied by Welcome to my Nightmare- Alice Cooper. McDermott has chosen I'm Shipping up to Boston as his entrance music. Eddie McDermott is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Couceiro
vs
McDermott

179 cm
25
240
3 - 0 - 0

198 cm
25
265
9 - 8 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Fast

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xandao Couceiro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eddie McDermott!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Couceiro shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McDermott cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Couceiro.
Couceiro trying to control the action but McDermott is working from the bottom.
McDermott really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Couceiro. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Couceiro is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McDermott is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Couceiro swings around for an armbar but McDermott sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Couceiro's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McDermott decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Couceiro, up you get!
Xandao Couceiro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McDermott with the inside leg kick.

Couceiro feints and as McDermott raises his hands in defense, Couceiro changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDermott keeping moving, preventing Couceiro from controlling successfully.
Couceiro loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Couceiro drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but McDermott manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Couceiro has McDermott in his guard.

Couceiro working for a triangle but McDermott defends it easily.
Couceiro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Couceiro seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couceiro looking for a guillotine here but McDermott defends easily.

Couceiro looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Couceiro controls McDermott momentarily but McDermott frees himself.

Couceiro has his foot on McDermott's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McDermott works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couceiro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Couceiro is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McDermott won't allow Couceiro to sweep him here.

Couceiro is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Couceiro is looking for a triangle but McDermott pushes his legs off easily.

Couceiro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McDermott defends it easily.
Couceiro looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

McDermott decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
McDermott lands a nice looking body shot.
McDermott fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
McDermott throws a low kick but Couceiro moves out of range easily.
Couceiro ducks under a wild hook from McDermott.
McDermott throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
McDermott stuffs the takedown.
Couceiro blocks a head kick by McDermott.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Couceiro has his takedown stuffed
and McDermott counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xandao Couceiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Couceiro tries to score a power double leg takedown but McDermott sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Couceiro somewhat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Couceiro.
Couceiro slips a straight right by McDermott.
Couceiro changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Couceiro on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McDermott. McDermott obviously looking to wear him down.
Couceiro with a poor takedown
and McDermott counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Couceiro gets a double leg takedown into McDermott's guard.
Couceiro slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Couceiro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

McDermott wriggles free and stands up.
Couceiro blocks a jab.
Couceiro takes one to the chin there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Couceiro closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Couceiro lands in his opponent's guard.

McDermott scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDermott cracks Couceiro with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
McDermott has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Couceiro drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

McDermott throws Couceiro to one side and escapes!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Couceiro.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McDermott is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
McDermott is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Couceiro controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couceiro has knee on belly and moves into mount.
McDermott is squirming around, avoiding Couceiro's attempts to control the action.
Couceiro sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
McDermott stops Couceiro from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
McDermott wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Couceiro goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now McDermott is on top in guard.
Couceiro manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McDermott manages to get himself to full guard.

McDermott is looking to stand up but Couceiro isn't so interested in that idea.
Couceiro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McDermott is keeping the position for now.

Couceiro drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and McDermott dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McDermott stands up and waves to Couceiro to follow him.
McDermott has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A low kick lands for McDermott.
Couceiro shoots in looking for a takedown. McDermott tries to sprawl out of it but Couceiro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McDermott manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xandao Couceiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDermott lands a lovely overhand right.
Good shot there by McDermott.
Couceiro shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McDermott as he jumps to the side.
Nice sprawl there from McDermott as Couceiro shoots in.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie McDermott showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Couceiro shoots in but McDermott avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McDermott! But no joy.
Nice cross by McDermott.
Couceiro shoots and misses
and McDermott counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McDermott fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Couceiro on the side of the head.
Couceiro throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDermott's waist but McDermott gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Couceiro off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xandao Couceiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Decent striking displayed by McDermott there.
Nice defenses there by Couceiro.
Couceiro misses with a takedown
and McDermott counters with a stiff right hand.
Couceiro is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
McDermott connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Couceiro is rocked!
Couceiro shoots in looking for a takedown. McDermott tries to sprawl out of it but Couceiro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McDermott manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Couceiro checks a low kick from McDermott.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDermott misses with an uppercut. Couceiro saw that one coming.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Couceiro.
McDermott let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Couceiro shoots in looking for a takedown. McDermott tries to sprawl out of it but Couceiro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McDermott manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Couceiro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McDermott swivels and escapes.
Good shot there by McDermott.
Jab from McDermott.
Couceiro walks into a straight right hand from McDermott.
McDermott throws a looping overhand right but Couceiro ducks down to avoid it.
Couceiro has his takedown stuffed
and McDermott counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Oh Couceiro is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
McDermott with a hook.
McDermott displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Couceiro.
McDermott cracks Couceiro on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Couceiro falls backwards against the cage. McDermott follows up with more strikes that drop Couceiro to his knees. McDermott keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Couceiro! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eddie McDermott!
A victorious Eddie McDermott thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.