PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tagnarach Kamara (ranked 16 p4p, 105 weight class) and Cormac McCarthy (ranked 3 p4p, 15 weight class). Kamara comes to the cage accompanied by BLIND SPOTS. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kamara
vs
McCarthy

180 cm
29
177
27 - 5 - 0

183 cm
30
175
25 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction
© Trap House

Shadow Realm Apparel
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 27 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tagnarach Kamara!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cormac McCarthy!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCarthy misses with a straight left.
An attempted straight right counter from Kamara misses the target.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that McCarthy has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Kamara misses with a left hand

and McCarthy counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kamara!
McCarthy tries to score with some ground and pound. Kamara controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
McCarthy creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kamara sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
McCarthy tries to score with some ground and pound. Kamara controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kamara prevents McCarthy from improving position.
You can see the frustration on Kamara's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McCarthy tries to move into full mount but can't pass Kamara's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kamara managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by McCarthy.
McCarthy trying to control the position but Kamara is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kamara is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kamara avoids any damage from the ground and pound of McCarthy.
McCarthy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kamara keeps working.
McCarthy tries to advance to mount but can't.
Kamara on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kamara tries to get out of the position.
McCarthy controls the position.
Kamara stops McCarthy from passing to mount.
McCarthy passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Kamara!
McCarthy connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
McCarthy scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kamara?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy throws some wild stikes that Kamara manages to avoid easily.
McCarthy working the ground and pound effectively.
McCarthy throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Kamara blocking the ground and pound.
McCarthy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
McCarthy working the ground and pound effectively.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, McCarthy cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
McCarthy tries to control but Kamara wriggling away.
McCarthy controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy scoring with strikes but Kamara is staying in there.
Kamara is bucking up trying to escape but McCarthy cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
McCarthy cracks Kamara with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
McCarthy punching from mount but Kamara doing a good job of avoiding damage.
McCarthy dominating with strikes here.
McCarthy landing strikes from the mount and Kamara is in trouble!
McCarthy lands a couple of good shots and Kamara has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - McCarthy's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Kamara tries to roll but McCarthy sticks to his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy scores with strikes from the back.
McCarthy scores with strikes from the back.
McCarthy scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Kamara is looking for a way out.
McCarthy is landing with strikes. Kamara can't take much more of this.
McCarthy somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
McCarthy is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Kamara. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
McCarthy controls the position.
Kamara knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McCarthy on the ground.
I really don't envy Kamara right now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McCarthy slips a straight right by Kamara.
Kamara moves out of range of the strikes.
McCarthy walks into a straight right hand from Kamara.
Kamara takes one on the button.
Kamara throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McCarthy misses with a hook. Kamara ducked under it nicely.
McCarthy thuds his right hand into Kamara's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A jab lands there for McCarthy.
Kamara moves away from the strike by McCarthy.
McCarthy with a jab.
Kamara scores with a decent looking hook.
McCarthy lands the left hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Kamara misses the target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kamara smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McCarthy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McCarthy throws a good cross that connects.
McCarthy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kamara as he avoids it easily.
McCarthy scores with a nice strike.
McCarthy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy lands with a right hand.
McCarthy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kamara.
McCarthy looks to score with a jab to the body but Kamara is just out of range.
Kamara misses with a kick to the body

and McCarthy counters with a single leg into guard. Kamara didn't expect that.
Cormac McCarthy has got the better of the ground game so far.
McCarthy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kamara wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
McCarthy distracts Kamara with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
McCarthy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McCarthy being controlled here momentarily.
McCarthy stands and throws Kamara's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kamara dodges the ground and pound from McCarthy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kamara struggling a bit here.
McCarthy has knee on belly and moves into mount.
BOOM! McCarthy connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCarthy throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kamara because McCarthy loaded up on that one.
McCarthy has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Kamara's face.
McCarthy wants to control the pace but Kamara is squirming around nicely.
McCarthy takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
McCarthy landing strikes, looking to finish!
McCarthy controlling the pace for now.
McCarthy scores with a couple of good head shots there.
McCarthy thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Kamara is bucking up trying to escape but McCarthy cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
McCarthy is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kamara is looking to improve his position but McCarthy isn't that keen on the idea.
McCarthy landing strikes from the mount and Kamara is in trouble!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
McCarthy is in the full mount, landing strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCarthy with good strikes from the mount here!
Kamara in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
McCarthy controlling his opponent.
McCarthy lands a couple of good shots and Kamara has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
McCarthy struggling to keep hold of the position.
McCarthy just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
McCarthy misses with punches from the back.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - McCarthy's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
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 corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kamara looks to throw the jab but McCarthy is out of range.
McCarthy takes a swing at Kamara's ribcage but misses.
Kamara avoids the body shot from McCarthy.
Kamara dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice defenses there by Kamara.
Kamara takes a body punch but keeps moving.
McCarthy scores with a jab to the jaw.
McCarthy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kamara works McCarthy's body with a nice hook.
McCarthy connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kamara momentarily.
A jab from Kamara misses.
Kamara looks to land a right hand but McCarthy moved out of range.
We've been told by Kamara's head coaches at Convicted Fight Club that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
McCarthy scores with a jab to the jaw.
McCarthy scores with a nice right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCarthy dodges the punch combination from Kamara.
McCarthy tries to move into range but Kamara moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kamara.
McCarthy goes for a double leg but Kamara avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kamara continues to drive forward.
A cross from McCarthy lands.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kamara. McCarthy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kamara misses with a hook.
McCarthy connects with the punch.
McCarthy getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McCarthy works Kamara's body with a nice hook.
McCarthy ducks under a wild hook from Kamara.
The crowd cheers as Kamara lands an impressive looking overhand right. McCarthy doesn't seem phased though.
McCarthy lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
McCarthy throws a right hand that Kamara ducks under and follows up with a left that Kamara also avoids with ease.
A big right from Kamara misses.
Kamara lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCarthy misses with an uppercut. Kamara saw that one coming.
McCarthy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kamara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kamara scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice defenses there by Kamara.
McCarthy takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd cheers as McCarthy lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kamara doesn't seem phased though.
McCarthy bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kamara's head.
Nice body punch from Kamara.
McCarthy looks for a takedown but Kamara sprawls well.
Nice body kick from Kamara.
McCarthy with a jab.
McCarthy lands a jab to the head.
McCarthy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kamara throws a shot from downtown. McCarthy moves away and avoids it.
Good exchange - McCarthy coming out on top.
Kamara scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamara lets loose with a powerful body kick. McCarthy will feel that in the morning.
Donk. McCarthy catches Kamara right on the button with a cross.
Kamara catches McCarthy with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
McCarthy scores with a shot to the body.
Kamara on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kamara misses with a body shot.
McCarthy is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
McCarthy ducks under a wild hook from Kamara.
McCarthy might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kamara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCarthy with the counter takedown but Kamara avoids it easily.
Kamara staying out of range there.
Kamara appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
McCarthy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kamara just misses with a punch to the body.
McCarthy keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
McCarthy has a takedown stuffed.
Tagnarach Kamara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cormac McCarthy.
Kamara scores with a crisp jab that stopped McCarthy in his tracks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kamara lands a nice looking body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big right from McCarthy misses.
Kamara swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
McCarthy staying out of range there.
Tagnarach Kamara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

McCarthy closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McCarthy lands in his opponent's guard.
McCarthy trying to control but Kamara is working from the bottom.
McCarthy looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
McCarthy trying to control the position from guard on top but Kamara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McCarthy throws an overhand right that lands on Kamara's shoulder, as Kamara tries to avoid the shot.
Kamara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kamara scores with a jab. McCarthy acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
McCarthy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kamara lands an overhand right.
McCarthy digs a good hook to Kamara's body.
Cormac McCarthy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kamara uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McCarthy.
Kamara swings for the body but McCarthy moves out of range.
Donk. McCarthy catches Kamara right on the button with a cross.
Kamara darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McCarthy misses with a jab to the body
and Kamara counters with a straight right hand.
Nice defenses there by McCarthy.
A jab from McCarthy misses.
McCarthy is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kamara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCarthy slips a straight right by Kamara.
Kamara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy lands with an overhand left.
McCarthy swings widly with a right hand
and Kamara counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McCarthy getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McCarthy loads up on a big right hand but Kamara slips the punch.
Kamara misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McCarthy closes the distance and clinches up with Kamara, looking for a takedown. McCarthy pushes Kamara against the cage but Kamara circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kamara misses with a straight right.
Kamara connects with a looping right hand.
McCarthy throws a shot from downtown. Kamara moves away and avoids it.
It looked like Kamara was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from McCarthy.
McCarthy takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kamara has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McCarthy finds it's way round the side to connect with Kamara's head.
Kamara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kamara swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kamara throws a hook but McCarthy blocks it.
McCarthy lands with a good body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCarthy works the jab nicely.
McCarthy getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy throws a lazy uppercut
and Kamara counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McCarthy takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kamara fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice defenses there by Kamara.
McCarthy drops his hands momentarily and Kamara takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kamara's corner calls for a 1-2. Kamara obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kamara misses with a looping left.
McCarthy is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
McCarthy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kamara.
McCarthy drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kamara defends it well.
McCarthy blocks a jab.
McCarthy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCarthy with a nice cross.
Kamara blocks a jab.
Kamara throws a shot to the body.
McCarthy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McCarthy throws a good cross that connects.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamara throws an off balance right hand

and McCarthy counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kamara won't be happy with that.
McCarthy wants to control but Kamara is keeping him busy.
An elbow from McCarthy crashes against the mat.
McCarthy advances to full mount.
McCarthy with shots to the head and body - Kamara looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kamara is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kamara is squirming around, avoiding McCarthy's attempts to control the action.
McCarthy with shots to the head and body - Kamara looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy trying to control but Kamara is having none of it.
McCarthy lands with some strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCarthy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kamara is looking to get to half guard.
McCarthy is in the full mount, landing strikes.
McCarthy postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kamara looks a forlorn figure.
McCarthy fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy dominated that fourth 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kamara misses with an uppercut. McCarthy saw that one coming.
Tagnarach Kamara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cormac McCarthy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McCarthy scores with a one two! Kamara had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kamara misses with a hook.
McCarthy looks to throw the jab but Kamara is out of range.
McCarthy loads up on a big right hand but Kamara slips the punch.
Kamara throws a one two combo.
McCarthy lands with a straight right. Kamara didn't see that one coming.
Kamara throws a looping overhand right but McCarthy ducks down to avoid it.
McCarthy throws a jab but it's blocked by Kamara.
McCarthy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kamara looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kamara pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McCarthy tests Kamara's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jab, jab by Kamara - just one landing.
McCarthy lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy has a takedown stuffed.
Kamara throws out a loose jab but McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kamara lands with a hook. McCarthy tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kamara scores with a sloppy right hand. McCarthy should have avoided that one.
McCarthy has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kamara just misses with a punch to the body.
Kamara takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
McCarthy slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McCarthy dives in and grabs Kamara's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kamara pushes down on McCarthy's head and hops out.
McCarthy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McCarthy looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kamara has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kamara there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kamara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It seemed like McCarthy was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McCarthy moves out of range of the strikes.
McCarthy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kamara throws out the jab.
Kamara misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy shoots in looking for a takedown but Kamara manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McCarthy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tagnarach Kamara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cormac McCarthy.
Nice cross by McCarthy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kamara throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McCarthy ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice shot lands for McCarthy.
Kamara throws a combination that misses
and McCarthy counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kamara throws an overhand right that lands on McCarthy's shoulder, as McCarthy tries to avoid the shot.
McCarthy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kamara takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McCarthy cracks Kamara with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
McCarthy slips under a jab.
McCarthy fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McCarthy defending well as Kamara loads up on a big left hand.
McCarthy slips a straight right by Kamara.
Kamara uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCarthy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamara is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kamara scores with a jab.
McCarthy scores with a hook.
Kamara misses with a kick to the body

and McCarthy counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McCarthy.
McCarthy controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kamara has McCarthy pulled in close to control his posture.
McCarthy pushes down on Kamara's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McCarthy perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
McCarthy's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cormac McCarthy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McCarthy 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 44:50
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 44:50
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cormac McCarthy!
Cormac McCarthy is the new welterweight champion!
Cormac McCarthy thanked the fans post fight for their support.