PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cheeks Clapperton (ranked 4747 p4p, 4526 weight class) and Callum McCewen (ranked 509 p4p, 498 weight class). Callum McCewen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Clapperton
vs
McCewen

177 cm
18
179
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
163
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Determined

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cheeks Clapperton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Callum McCewen!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Chris Saunders and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCewen cracks a nice hook into Clapperton's ribs.
McCewen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McCewen misses with a leg kick

so Clapperton counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Clapperton is looking to work some ground and pound but McCewen has wrist control.
Clapperton trying to control the position from guard on top but McCewen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Clapperton is working McCewen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
McCewen wants to stand but Clapperton is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clapperton throwing strikes from guard but McCewen blocks nicely.
Clapperton in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCewen pulls Clapperton in close to his closed guard and prevents Clapperton from doing any damage or advancing position.
McCewen is looking to stand up but Clapperton isn't so interested in that idea.
Clapperton trying to control but McCewen is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Clapperton shoots in for a takedown but McCewen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McCewen looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Clapperton is trying hard to land a takedown here. McCewen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
McCewen moves out of range as Clapperton strikes.
McCewen misses with a low kick.
McCewen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Clapperton tries to score a power double leg takedown but McCewen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Clapperton somewhat.
Clapperton looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cheeks Clapperton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by McCewen. That's going to slow Clapperton down.
McCewen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McCewen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Clapperton fails with a takedown attempt.
Clapperton closes the distance and clinches up with McCewen, looking for a takedown. Clapperton pushes McCewen against the cage but McCewen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McCewen digs a good body shot into Clapperton's ribs.
McCewen connects with an inside leg kick.

Clapperton drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Clapperton missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McCewen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clapperton wants to pass the guard but McCewen is keeping the position.
McCewen wants to stand up but Clapperton is controlling him.
Clapperton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McCewen is adopting a defensive guard.
Clapperton tries to free his leg and advance position but McCewen is retaining full guard.
McCewen managing to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Clapperton shoots in and gets a takedown into McCewen's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clapperton throwing strikes from guard but McCewen blocks nicely.
Clapperton is looking to work some ground and pound but McCewen has wrist control.
McCewen keeping moving, preventing Clapperton from controlling successfully.
Clapperton is looking to work some ground and pound but McCewen has wrist control.

Clapperton is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! McCewen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! McCewen has escaped and now he's on top!

McCewen 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Callum McCewen dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McCewen throws the left hand but Clapperton avoids the punch easily.
Clapperton attempts a counter takedown but McCewen avoids it well and moves away.
Clapperton closes the distance and clinches up with McCewen, looking for a takedown. Clapperton pushes McCewen against the cage but McCewen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Clapperton drives through with a takedown into guard.
McCewen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Clapperton is in close to McCewen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cheeks Clapperton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Clapperton prevents McCewen from getting back to his feet.
Clapperton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Clapperton 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.
Clapperton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Clapperton is looking to work some ground and pound but McCewen has wrist control.
Clapperton has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
McCewen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clapperton wants to control from the top but McCewen keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Clapperton swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McCewen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
McCewen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
No joy there for Clapperton, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McCewen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
McCewen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Clapperton checks a low kick from McCewen.
Clapperton fails with a takedown attempt.
McCewen thinks about the counter body kick.
McCewen stuffs the takedown attempt from Clapperton. Clapperton gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cheeks Clapperton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCewen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
McCewen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Clapperton.
Clapperton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McCewen as he avoids it easily.

McCewen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Clapperton won't allow McCewen to get back to his feet.
Clapperton trying to control but McCewen is working from the bottom.
Clapperton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McCewen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCewen wants to stand but Clapperton is controlling the position.
Clapperton's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCewen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Clapperton is one step ahead there.
Clapperton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McCewen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Clapperton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCewen is keeping the position for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
McCewen tries to work over Clapperton's front leg with a kick but Clapperton checks it.
A nice inside leg kick there by McCewen. That's going to slow Clapperton down.
Cheeks Clapperton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McCewen chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Clapperton shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. McCewen is trying to defend but Clapperton finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Clapperton is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clapperton stops McCewen from getting back to his feet.
McCewen is looking to improve his position.
Clapperton missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Clapperton not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McCewen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Clapperton.
McCewen is trying to stand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Callum McCewen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

McCewen misses with a low kick.
Clapperton shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McCewen but McCewen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McCewen leaves Clapperton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Clapperton throws a shot from downtown. McCewen moves away and avoids it.
McCewen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Clapperton. That did some damage!
Clapperton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McCewen's waist but McCewen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Clapperton off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cheeks Clapperton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Clapperton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McCewen as he avoids it easily.
Clapperton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McCewen's waist but McCewen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Clapperton off to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Clapperton closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into McCewen's guard.
McCewen is adopting a defensive guard.
Clapperton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McCewen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clapperton throws an elbow that misses. McCewen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Clapperton's guard. Nice move by McCewen!

Hammerfist, elbow! yells McCewen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
McCewen trying to control the position from guard on top but Clapperton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Clapperton is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McCewen defends well.
McCewen sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Clapperton is looking for a triangle but McCewen pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clapperton 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.

Clapperton looking for submissions from the bottom but instead McCewen passes into side control.
Clapperton is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clapperton gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
McCewen looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Clapperton wants to control but McCewen is keeping busy.
Callum McCewen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McCewen prevents Clapperton from improving his position.
McCewen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Clapperton is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
McCewen not doing much here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

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.
McCewen throws a nice inside leg kick.
McCewen throws a leg kick

and Clapperton counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
McCewen tries to kick Clapperton off but Clapperton keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Clapperton wants to lay and pray for a moment but McCewen keeps working.
Clapperton not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Clapperton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McCewen defending well though.
Cheeks Clapperton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Clapperton trying to control from McCewen's half guard. McCewen has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Clapperton works over McCewen with some ground and pound from guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Callum McCewen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McCewen 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 Josh West scores the fight 28:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Callum McCewen!
After the fight, Callum McCewen 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.