PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eddie McDermott (ranked 4284 p4p, 3400 weight class) and Keaton Vega (ranked 468 p4p, 391 weight class). McDermott comes to the cage accompanied by I'm Shipping up to Boston. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McDermott
vs
Vega

198 cm
27
265
11 - 14 - 0

188 cm
27
248
13 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

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 11 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eddie McDermott!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Keaton Vega!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDermott throws a series of punches but Vega moves out of range.
Vega feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits McDermotts jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
McDermott checks a leg kick.
McDermott throws a jab when Vega was well out of range.
McDermott goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Vega takes one to the chin there.
McDermott misses with a left hand
and Vega counters with a leg kick.
Vega tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vega ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vega is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McDermott with a body shot.
McDermott throws out a loose jab but Vega uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vega lands a lovely overhand right.
McDermott throws a jab when Vega was well out of range.
A head kick misses from McDermott.
Vega looks to land a body kick but McDermott moved away.
Vega throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDermott scores with a decent looking hook.
Vega has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McDermott finds it's way round the side to connect with Vega's head.
Vega avoids a punch combination nicely.
Vega feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits McDermotts jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
McDermott pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vega misses with a body kick.

McDermott fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vega sprawls well initially but McDermott persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Vega punching from the bottom.
Vega manages to get to full guard.
Vega 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.
McDermott is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDermott trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vega looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McDermott postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Vega is trying to keep McDermott in close.
McDermott stopping the sweep attempt from Vega.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells McDermott's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
McDermott with a flurry of punches that miss.

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

McDermott trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDermott is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Vega prevents McDermott from getting back to his feet.
Vega passes McDermott's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McDermott is trying to get back to full guard.
Vega is keen to just control but McDermott is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
McDermott is trying to get back to full guard.
McDermott is not content to let Vega control the position.
Vega is thwarting McDermott's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vega blocks a head kick by McDermott.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie McDermott dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vega ducks under a wild hook from McDermott.
McDermott tries to land a front kick but Vega steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vega slips a jab from McDermott.
Vega staying out of range there.
Vega keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McDermott.
McDermott gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McDermott fails with the takedown.
Vega explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Eddie McDermott seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vega throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McDermott looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've been told by McDermott's head coaches at The Scrap Squad that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Good exchange - McDermott coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDermott moves away from the strike by Vega.
McDermott tries a head kick but it misses.
McDermott misses with a straight right.
McDermott throws a head kick that misses
and Vega counters with a stiff right hand.
McDermott works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
McDermott misses with a straight right.
McDermott looks to throw the jab but Vega is out of range.
Vega tries to counter by closing the distance.
McDermott is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
McDermott swings widly with a right hand
and Vega counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McDermott thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vega was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Vega keeps McDermott at a distance using the push kick.
McDermott thuds a left hand into Vega's body.
Eddie McDermott is winning the standup battle so far.
McDermott tries a head kick but it misses.
McDermott's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Vega connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! McDermott scrambles back to his feet.
Vega takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDermott cracks Vega with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Vega moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
McDermott misses with an uppercut
and Vega counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McDermott throws a sloppy head kick and Vega moves out of range easily.
Vega misses with a combination
and McDermott counters with a nice uppercut.
Vega connects with a leg kick.
A low kick from Vega misses
and McDermott connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McDermott misses with a left hand
and McDermott takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vega tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vega slips under a jab from McDermott.
A swing and a miss from McDermott.
Vega misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vega takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McDermott missing with a left hand there. Vega was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

McDermott shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McDermott showed some decent athleticism there.
McDermott missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Vega is looking to control McDermott's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vega avoid being mounted?

McDermott seems to be working for a kimura but Vega defends the submission attempt.
Vega is trying to defend against the ground and pound but McDermott scores with a couple of nice shots.
McDermott trying to control from half guard but Vega is working away.
Vega is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDermott thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vega keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McDermott working over Vega with some ground and pound. Vega looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

McDermott is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McDermott wants to stand but Vega has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
McDermott thows a huge punch but Vega dodges it nicely.
McDermott thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vega's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vega has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McDermott is working away from the top position though.

McDermott is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Vega has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie McDermott dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

McDermott tries a head kick but it misses.
Vega displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
McDermott falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vega counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vega throws the left hand but McDermott avoids the punch easily.
Vega has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Sloppy strikes from McDermott. Those never looked like landing.
Vega scoring well with a low kick there.
McDermott has a takedown stuffed.
Vega looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Vega.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vega scores with a jab to the jaw.
McDermott throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Vega stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Vega throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDermott throws a head kick that misses.
Vega let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A head kick misses from Vega.
McDermott looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Vega throws a big counter head kick but McDermott avoids it with no problem.
McDermott throws a hook but Vega avoids it easily.
Vega pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces McDermott back to the cage. Vega follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
McDermott throws a right hand that misses
and Vega counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A solid leg kick lands there for Vega.
Vega lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
McDermott lands a head kick. Vega smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
McDermott looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vega is fending him off so far but McDermott persists. Nope, Vega circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie McDermott. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDermott throws a lazy body kick
enabling Vega to counter with a crisp jab.
Vega lands with a good body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A low kick lands for Vega.
McDermott throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vega sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vega is looking for the big counter here.
A nice inside leg kick there by Vega. That's going to slow McDermott down.
Vega just misses with a punch to the body.
Vega lands a head shot.
McDermott throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McDermott throws a nice head kick!
Vega slips a straight right by McDermott.
McDermott throws a lazy uppercut
letting Vega counter with a right hand.
Vega displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McDermott throws out the jab.
McDermott shoots in looking for a takedown. Vega tries to sprawl out of it but McDermott keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vega manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vega throws a body shot but no joy.
McDermott misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McDermott pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Keaton Vega has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vega showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McDermott.
McDermott throws a jab when Vega was well out of range.
Vega dips to his left and cracks McDermott with an uppercut!
Vega lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McDermott on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Vega keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McDermott.
Vega feints a jab promting McDermott to slip. Vega then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McDermott slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
McDermott throws a head kick but Vega moves out of range.
Vega was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Vega lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Vega misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vega does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
McDermott is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
McDermott throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vega just misses with a punch to the body.
Vega has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McDermott finds it's way round the side to connect with Vega's head.
McDermott pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Vega blocks a head kick by McDermott.
McDermott throws a right hand that misses
and Vega counters with a body kick that stops McDermott in his tracks momentarily.
Vega connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Vega scores with a nice body kick.
McDermott takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Vega throws a body kick that misses.
Eddie McDermott is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McDermott on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keaton Vega comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McDermott has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddie McDermott!
A very excited looking Eddie McDermott made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.