PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gunner Bond (ranked 6 p4p, 15 weight class) and Cormac McCarthy (ranked 2 p4p, 3 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bond
vs
McCarthy

180 cm
28
175
23 - 6 - 0

183 cm
31
175
28 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

NARCOS
Conviction

BANZAI NUTRITION
NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gunner Bond!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cormac McCarthy!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Richard Clark and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bond pivots, looking for a leg kick but McCarthy is out of range and Bond settles back down.
McCarthy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McCarthy takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bond misses with a body shot.
McCarthy is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Bond 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.
McCarthy slips under a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bond.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bond. That's going to slow McCarthy down.
McCarthy throws a right and a left that both miss.
McCarthy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bond ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCarthy moves away.

McCarthy shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bond wants to sweep but no luck.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Bond keeps moving.
McCarthy throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy stays in close to Bond's body and controls the position.
Bond tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McCarthy working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bond's head.
McCarthy stands and throws Bond's legs to the side, diving into side control.
McCarthy creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Bond sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
McCarthy throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Bond is not content to let McCarthy control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bond avoids any damage from the ground and pound of McCarthy.
McCarthy working the head with strikes.
McCarthy is looking to take a break and control but Bond is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McCarthy creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Bond sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
McCarthy misses with the ground and pound.
Bond is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
McCarthy trying to control the action but Bond is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bond sneaks back into half guard.
Well, if McCarthy is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
McCarthy trying to control from Bond's half guard. Bond has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Bond seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McCarthy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bond works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McCarthy throwing strikes but missing.
McCarthy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McCarthy working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
McCarthy throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCarthy scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bond avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McCarthy is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McCarthy ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Bond as he connects with a hook.
McCarthy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bond.
A low kick from Bond misses
and McCarthy counters with a stiff right hand.
Good leg kick by Bond.
McCarthy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McCarthy stuns Bond with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bond throws a lazy body kick

and McCarthy counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bond!
McCarthy gets to mount! Bond was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCarthy wants to control the pace but Bond is squirming around nicely.
Bond is bucking up trying to escape but McCarthy cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
McCarthy sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
McCarthy landing strikes from the mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bond is in a horrible position here. McCarthy smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Bond is working to get back to half guard.
Bond blocking the ground and pound.
McCarthy landing strikes from the mount.
McCarthy connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
McCarthy avoids the attempt from Bond to control.
McCarthy lands a couple of good shots and Bond has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bond prevents McCarthy from getting a body triangle.
McCarthy throwing wild punches that miss their target.
McCarthy lands strikes to the head.
McCarthy just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCarthy misses with punches from the back.
McCarthy controlling the position well here. Bond rolled but McCarthy kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Even with his hooks in, McCarthy manages to miss with strikes from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bond has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from McCarthy.
McCarthy wants to control but Bond is keeping busy.
Bond covering up well under a series of strikes from McCarthy.
Cormac McCarthy has got the better of the ground game so far.
Will McCarthy go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
McCarthy controlling from the back.
Bond prevents McCarthy from getting a body triangle.
Bond covering up well under a series of strikes from McCarthy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy misses with a punch to the head.
McCarthy has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Bond's body.
McCarthy throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
McCarthy punches the canvas rather than the man.
McCarthy throwing sloppy strikes.
McCarthy is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
McCarthy missing with punches from the back.
McCarthy lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bond moves out of range as McCarthy strikes.
Bond cracks McCarthy with a good jab.
Bond jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bond doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McCarthy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCarthy is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bond rather than just go for the knockout.
Bond misses with a looping left.
Jab, jab by Bond - just one landing.
Bond throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bond tests McCarthy's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice straight punches there by McCarthy. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of McCarthy.
McCarthy scores with the left hand. Bond knows he should have avoided that one.
McCarthy takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bond avoids the body shot from McCarthy.
McCarthy misses with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bond misses with a looping right.
McCarthy tries to bum rush Bond with a series of wild strikes but Bond uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bond throws a front kick aimed at McCarthy's knee but McCarthy avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Bond misses the target.
Gunner Bond seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCarthy thows a left - swing and a miss!
McCarthy misses with a wild body shot.
Bond misses with a leg kick

and McCarthy counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bond!
McCarthy taking a breather here.
The ground and pound from McCarthy seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Bond is not content to let McCarthy control the position.
McCarthy misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
McCarthy is looking to take a break and control but Bond is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
McCarthy works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
McCarthy throws a strike aimed at the side of Bond's head but Bond avoids it well.
McCarthy moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
McCarthy in side control lands a decent elbow.
McCarthy moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
McCarthy throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy controls the position from side control.
McCarthy working the ground and pound but Bond is defending the strikes.
McCarthy throws a strike aimed at the side of Bond's head but Bond avoids it well.
McCarthy scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Bond to see if he's OK.
McCarthy wants to take a breather but Bond manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for McCarthy.
McCarthy throwing strikes from guard but Bond blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McCarthy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Bond keeps moving.
McCarthy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McCarthy throws a big right hand that misses.
Bond keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McCarthy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

McCarthy ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bond misses with a straight right.
Bond goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A nice combination there by McCarthy.
Jab, jab by McCarthy - just one landing.
Bond looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bond fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCarthy manages to avoid it.
And McCarthy tries to counter it with a takedown but Bond pushes his down on his head and steps out.
McCarthy walks into a left hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCarthy. Bond does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCarthy slips a straight right by Bond.
McCarthy tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Bond throws an off balance right hand
enabling McCarthy to counter with a crisp jab.
McCarthy defending well as Bond loads up on a big left hand.
Bond showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCarthy.
McCarthy throws a body punch but Bond moves out of range.
Bond uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCarthy.
McCarthy misses with a wild body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bond pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
McCarthy walks into a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy moves out of range as Bond throws a body kick.
McCarthy jabs Bond right on the nose. Bond blinks but takes it well.
McCarthy has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Bond throws the left hand but McCarthy avoids the punch easily.
Gunner Bond is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bond with a body punch. A glancing blow.
McCarthy looks to score with a jab to the body but Bond is just out of range.
Bond tries to land a front kick but McCarthy steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McCarthy swings for the body but Bond moves out of range.
Bond scores with a nice body kick.
McCarthy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bond is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McCarthy.
McCarthy drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Bond defends it well.
McCarthy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McCarthy misses with a hook
and Bond makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bond misses the jab.
McCarthy changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bond enables McCarthy to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bond manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
McCarthy stands and throws Bond's legs to the side, diving into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bond manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
McCarthy missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McCarthy is trying to control the action in half guard but Bond is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from McCarthy.
McCarthy missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. McCarthy lands a nice short elbow.
Bond is staying active underneath McCarthy, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McCarthy is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
McCarthy looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ground and pound from McCarthy.
Bond is not content to let McCarthy control the position.
McCarthy is controlling the pace.

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.
McCarthy thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McCarthy is looking to take a break and control but Bond is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

McCarthy fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bond sprawls well initially but McCarthy persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
McCarthy throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Bond to regain full guard.
McCarthy trying to control but Bond is working from the bottom.
Bond keeping full guard, as McCarthy tries to pass.
McCarthy seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

McCarthy lands with an overhand left.
Cormac McCarthy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McCarthy throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bond stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bond.
Bond connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bond lands with a thumping leg kick.
McCarthy looks to land a left hand but Bond moved out of range nicely.
McCarthy throws out a loose jab but Bond uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCarthy takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
McCarthy misses with a wild body shot.
A combination from McCarthy does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bond swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCarthy tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
McCarthy doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bond motions for McCarthy to come forward. Bond throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McCarthy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! McCarthy crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Bond - the referee stops the clock and McCarthy gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Bond. McCarthy manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from McCarthy there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bond throws a jab when McCarthy was well out of range.
McCarthy throws out a counter right but Bond avoids it with no problem.
Bond ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCarthy moves away.
McCarthy has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Bond.
McCarthy fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bond connects with a crisp jab.
McCarthy misses with a body shot.
Bond throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McCarthy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The crowd cheers as McCarthy lands an impressive looking overhand right. Bond doesn't seem phased though.
Bond with the inside leg kick.
Bond feints and then cracks McCarthy's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McCarthy down.
McCarthy keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
McCarthy is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
McCarthy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bond.
McCarthy checks the leg kick.
Bond takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
McCarthy lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bond at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCarthy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bond.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bond looks to land a left hand but McCarthy moved out of range nicely.
McCarthy with the counter takedown but Bond avoids it easily.
McCarthy will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McCarthy moves out of range of the strikes.
McCarthy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCarthy tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McCarthy avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McCarthy misses the shot to the body.
McCarthy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bond.
Bond throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCarthy throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bond on the side of the head.
McCarthy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bond connects with a body shot that sends McCarthy's belly button to the back.
Bond looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Bond misses with a leg kick.
McCarthy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bond.
Bond misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bond ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McCarthy lands with a straight right. Bond didn't see that one coming.
McCarthy fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
McCarthy takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sloppy strikes from McCarthy. Those never looked like landing.
Bond tries to land a front kick but McCarthy steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bond attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
McCarthy slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gunner Bond is winning the standup battle so far.
McCarthy misses with a body shot.
McCarthy closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bond.
McCarthy just misses with a punch to the body.
McCarthy throws a looping overhand right but Bond ducks down to avoid it.
Bond throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Bond. McCarthy shrugs it off though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from McCarthy. Bond does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCarthy fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bond looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bond is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McCarthy.
A shot to the liver by Bond. Beautiful body shot.
Bond just misses with a punch to the body.
Bond scores with a nice head shot.
McCarthy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bond.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCarthy. Bond does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bond lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McCarthy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bond.
McCarthy blocks the body kick.
McCarthy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bond.
Bond sizes up McCarthy with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gunner Bond has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McCarthy shoots in for a takedown but Bond shows good takedown defense.
Gunner Bond has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cormac McCarthy.
Bond looks to throw a body kick
and McCarthy counters with a lovely straight right hand!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gunner Bond.
I think McCarthy has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 45:49
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 46:49
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cormac McCarthy!
Cormac McCarthy is the new welterweight champion!
A very excited looking Cormac McCarthy rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.