PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Darko Doncic (ranked 4320 p4p, 4412 weight class) and River Forest (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Doncic
vs
Forest

176 cm
25
150
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
154
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Darko Doncic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, River Forest!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Chad Campbell and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Doncic gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Doncic keeping moving, preventing Forest from controlling successfully.
Doncic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Forest.
Doncic is looking to stand up but Forest isn't so interested in that idea.
Doncic keeping moving, preventing Forest from controlling successfully.
Forest wants to pass the guard but Doncic is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Doncic is working an open guard so Forest takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Forest gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Forest trying to control the position here.
Forest preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Doncic has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Forest is on top in guard.

Doncic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Doncic has his hands on Forest's head, controlling the position.
Doncic wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doncic is looking to stand back up but Forest counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Doncic.
Forest with the ground and pound but Doncic uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Doncic is looking to stand up but Forest isn't so interested in that idea.
Forest looking to pass the guard.
Forest trying to control but Doncic is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Forest showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Doncic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Forest controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
River Forest seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Doncic shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Forest's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Forest can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Doncic lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Forest working a defensive guard here.
Doncic is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Forest trying to control the position.
Doncic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Forest is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Forest looking for a sweep. Not yet Forest, not yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but River Forest will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Doncic drives through with a takedown into guard.
Forest manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Doncic manages to get himself to full guard.

Doncic looking for a sweep. Not yet Doncic, not yet.
Forest not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Forest stops Doncic from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Doncic is looking to sweep but instead, Forest has passed into half guard.
Forest lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Forest is trying to control the action in half guard but Doncic is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forest has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Forest is looking to stand but Doncic has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Forest landing strikes, looking to finish!
Forest works his way to his opponent's back.
Doncic looking to control the position.

Forest is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Doncic is defending well though. Forest let's go of the attempt for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doncic manages to reverse the position and now he's in Forest's guard. Nice work there by Doncic.
Doncic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Doncic landing with the ground and pound.
Doncic throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Forest trying to keep a closed guard but Doncic is proving a slippery customer.
Doncic trying to control the position from guard on top but Forest is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Doncic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Forest works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Doncic is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Forest is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Doncic is controlling him.
Doncic is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Doncic stops Forest from standing up.
Doncic postures up in Forest's guard and throws a big left but Forest blocks it.

That's four 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.
Doncic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Doncic trying to control but Forest is working from the bottom.
River Forest has got the better of the ground game so far.
Doncic looking to sit in guard and control but Forest gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Forest postures up.
Doncic wants to sweep here but Forest controlling him for the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Forest trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Doncic throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but River Forest will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Forest changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Doncic tries to avoid it but Forest manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Doncic to the ground. Doncic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
It looked like Doncic was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Forest misses with a head kick.
Forest shoots in for a double leg but Doncic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Doncic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Forest tries to avoid it but Doncic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Forest to the ground. Forest escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Doncic looks for a takedown but Forest sprawls well.

Doncic tries to sprawl but Forest drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Forest takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Forest is thwarting Doncic's attempts to control the position.
Forest is looking to take a break and control but Doncic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forest is controlling the pace.
Forest prevents Doncic from standing back up.
Forest wants to take a breather but Doncic is having none of it.
Forest controlling the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two 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.
Forest looks to land a body kick but Doncic moved away.
Doncic throws a big counter combination but Forest scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Forest misses with a takedown attempt - Doncic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Darko Doncic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of River Forest.
Forest takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Doncic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Forest stuffs the takedown.

Forest fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Doncic sprawls well initially but Forest persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Forest keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Doncic is trying to get back to full guard.
Doncic is trying to stand back up but Forest is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Forest trying to control from half guard but Doncic is working away.
Doncic looks like he's trying to stand up.
Doncic trying to control from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Forest wants to control but Doncic is keeping him busy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Doncic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Forest.

Forest throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Doncic tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Forest is in Doncic's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Forest not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Forest trying to control the position from guard on top but Doncic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Doncic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Darko Doncic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
River Forest is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Doncic trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

And that's the end of the fight!
River Forest comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Forest 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... River Forest!