PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eric Ries (ranked 1751 p4p, 1713 weight class) and Ger McDonnell (ranked 235 p4p, 228 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ries
vs
McDonnell

169 cm
34
160
15 - 13 - 0

171 cm
28
160
10 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Eric Ries!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Ger McDonnell!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, William Gold and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonnell moves out of range of the strikes.
Ries connects with a single shot there.

It looks like Ger McDonnell has been cut.
McDonnell uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
We've been informed that McDonnell has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A big right from McDonnell misses.
McDonnell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
McDonnell thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ries misses with a two punch combination.
McDonnell jabs at Ries's body.
McDonnell misses with an uppercut. Ries saw that one coming.
McDonnell lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
McDonnell scores with a jab. Ries acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ries misses with an uppercut.
McDonnell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ries was well out of range. Poor timing from McDonnell.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
McDonnell scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ries doesn't seem bothered though.
McDonnell stuns Ries with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by McDonnell.
McDonnell tries to bum rush Ries with a series of wild strikes but Ries uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A punch combination from Ries misses.
McDonnell fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ries.
Ries slips under a jab from McDonnell.
McDonnell throws a right and a left that Ries avoids nicely.
Ries walks into a jab.
McDonnell ducks under a wild hook from Ries.
Ries slips a straight right by McDonnell.
McDonnell scoring well with a low kick there.
McDonnell throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ries sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ries throws a lazy right hand but McDonnell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McDonnell misses with a double jab.
McDonnell scores with a body shot.
An inside leg kick from McDonnell misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ries drops his hands momentarily and McDonnell takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A punch lands to the side of Ries 's head but he takes it in his stride.
McDonnell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ries manages to avoid it.
An attempted straight right counter from Ries misses the target.
Good standup being displayed there by McDonnell as he connects with a hook.
McDonnell throws a hook but Ries avoids it easily.
Nice shot lands for McDonnell.
McDonnell keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ries.
Ries misses with an uppercut. McDonnell saw that one coming.
McDonnell unleashes a big counter combination but Ries bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
McDonnell has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ries finds it's way round the side to connect with McDonnell's head.
McDonnell works the jab nicely.
McDonnell throws a shot from downtown. Ries moves away and avoids it.
A big left from McDonnell misses.
McDonnell slips a jab from Ries.
Ries on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ries.
Ries throws an overhand right that lands on McDonnell's shoulder, as McDonnell tries to avoid the shot.
Ries will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McDonnell ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ries lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
McDonnell dips to his left and cracks Ries with an uppercut!
McDonnell showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ries.
McDonnell misses with a jab to the body
and Ries counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ries throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McDonnell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McDonnell! But no joy.
McDonnell with a nice cross.
McDonnell thuds his right hand into Ries's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonnell throws a hook to the side of Ries's head but Ries sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ries fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McDonnell on the side of the head.
A big left from Ries misses.
McDonnell appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
McDonnell lands an overhand right.
Ries misses with a hook
and McDonnell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ries walks into a left hand.
McDonnell misses with a hook. Ries ducked under it nicely.
Ger McDonnell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ries misses with a combination
letting McDonnell counter with a right hand.
Ries is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
McDonnell lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
McDonnell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDonnell fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ries takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McDonnell staying out of range there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ger McDonnell dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ger McDonnell's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McDonnell moves out of range of the strikes.
McDonnell looks to score with a jab to the body but Ries is just out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Ries on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ries takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A looping hook to the body misses from McDonnell. Ries does a little dance to reset his feet.
The fighters circle momentarily. McDonnell darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
McDonnell misses with a wild body shot.
Ries throws a counter high kick but McDonnell was just alert enough to avoid it.
Ries looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
McDonnell lands a nice shot that snaps Ries's head back.
McDonnell paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ries throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McDonnell works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonnell fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ries.
Good leg kick by McDonnell.
McDonnell moves away from the strike by Ries.
McDonnell appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Ries misses with a double jab
and McDonnell counters with a one-two to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ries misses with an uppercut
and McDonnell counters with a straight right hand.
McDonnell finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
McDonnell throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ries stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ries throws a leg kick that is checked
and McDonnell counters with a straight right hand.
Ries displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McDonnell throws out the jab.
McDonnell misses with a hook. Ries ducked under it nicely.
McDonnell thuds his right hand into Ries's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ries goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
McDonnell doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
McDonnell connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ries loads up on a big right hand but McDonnell slips the punch.
McDonnell staying out of range there.
McDonnell misses with a wild body shot.
Ries was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ries pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ries throws a head kick that McDonnell semi-blocks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McDonnell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ries.
McDonnell's corner calls for a 1-2. McDonnell obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ries misses with a hook. McDonnell ducked under it nicely.
Ries swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McDonnell.
McDonnell lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
McDonnell throws a body shot but no joy.
Ries throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McDonnell throws a right hand that Ries ducks under and follows up with a left that Ries also avoids with ease.
McDonnell lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ries takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ries showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McDonnell.
Ries loads up on a big right hand but McDonnell slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ries bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps McDonnell's head backwards.
Ries lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McDonnell throws a body punch but Ries moves out of range.
McDonnell throws a body punch but Ries moves out of range.
Ries throwing a counter right hand but McDonnell manages to avoid it.
Ries pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ries takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McDonnell throws a body punch but Ries moves out of range.
Ries misses with a double jab.
McDonnell is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ries with a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from McDonnell misses the target.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Ries might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
A big right from Ries misses.
McDonnell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McDonnell with a jab.
McDonnell lands with a right hand.
Ries takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ries takes one on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ries looks to land a right hand but McDonnell moved out of range.
McDonnell throws a nice looking combination but Ries bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ries just misses with a punch to the body.
McDonnell connects with a crisp jab.
McDonnell wants to land a leg kick but Ries is out of range.
Ries pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McDonnell connects with the punch.
Good shot there by McDonnell.
Ries lands a jab to the nose.
McDonnell throws a looping overhand right but Ries ducks down to avoid it.
McDonnell misses with a looping left.
McDonnell lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ries at a distance.
McDonnell slips under a jab from Ries.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ger McDonnell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ger McDonnell's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from McDonnell.
A slow jab from Ries misses its intended target.
It seemed like McDonnell was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McDonnell connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ries's hands.
Ries slips under a jab.
Ries misses the shot to the body.
A left lands for McDonnell.
McDonnell tries to bum rush Ries with a series of wild strikes but Ries uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McDonnell slips under a jab.
McDonnell unleashes a big counter combination but Ries bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Nice defenses there by McDonnell.
Ries jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circle momentarily. McDonnell darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
McDonnell lands a jab to Ries's midsection.
Ger McDonnell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ries throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McDonnell counters with a left to the body.
Ries needs to keep his hands up - McDonnell had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ries blocks a head kick by McDonnell.
Ries displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McDonnell throws out the jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from McDonnell.
Ries loads up on a big right hand but McDonnell slips the punch.
McDonnell lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A punch lands to the side of Ries 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A head kick misses from Ries.
Ries swings widly with a right hand
and McDonnell counters with a nice uppercut.
Ries pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ries ducks under a wild hook from McDonnell.
Ries swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ries uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McDonnell.
The fighters circle momentarily. McDonnell darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ries takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ries doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ries checks the leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Ries misses the target.
Ries tries a head kick but it misses.
A big left from McDonnell misses.
McDonnell punishes Ries's body with a nice straight punch.
McDonnell dips to his left and cracks Ries with an uppercut!
A low kick lands for McDonnell.
Ries throws a jab when McDonnell was well out of range.
Ries pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ries misses the jab.
Ries has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McDonnell finds it's way round the side to connect with Ries's head.
Good standup being displayed there by McDonnell as he connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ries takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ries throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
McDonnell lands a jab to the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Ries misses the target.
Nice straight punches there by McDonnell. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of McDonnell.
McDonnell fails to land with a series of punches.
Ries throws a big shot that misses.
McDonnell misses the shot to the body.
McDonnell dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ries takes one to the side of the head.
Ries throws a predictable looking body shot
and McDonnell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ries tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ries waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McDonnell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ries swings for the body but McDonnell moves out of range.
Ries tries to move into range but McDonnell moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ries misses with a hook to the body
enabling McDonnell to counter with a crisp jab.
A leg kick checked by McDonnell.
McDonnell fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ries on the side of the head.
McDonnell throws a hook to the side of Ries's head but Ries sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McDonnell moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
McDonnell lands with a kick to the temple. Ries shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Jab, jab by McDonnell - just one landing.
Ries gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McDonnell.
Ries goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That has opened up Ger McDonnell's cut even more.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ries throws a poor cross that misses
letting McDonnell counter with a right hand.
Eric Ries has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McDonnell catches Ries with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ger McDonnell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McDonnell 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ger McDonnell!
During a confident post fight interview, Ger McDonnell thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.