PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bronze Larkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Finn McCool (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Larkin comes to the cage accompanied by Loose Yourself. 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.

Larkin
vs
McCool

174 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

164 cm
24
145 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bronze Larkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Finn McCool!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Alyssa Summers and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larkin misses with a takedown attempt - McCool sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McCool tries a head kick but it misses.
McCool throws a low kick, looking for Larkin's leg but Larkin calmly moves out of range.
McCool throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McCool's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and McCool duly obliges.
Larkin avoids the head kick by McCool.
Jab, jab by McCool - just one landing.
Larkin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McCool but McCool pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Larkin slips under a jab from McCool.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin blocks a head kick by McCool.
McCool pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Larkin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McCool swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bronze Larkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McCool pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCool throws a head kick but Larkin moves out of range.
McCool throws a sloppy head kick and Larkin moves out of range easily.

McCool decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
McCool lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
McCool wants to stand up but Larkin is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larkin is looking for a sweep. McCool is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Larkin makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Larkin.
McCool pushing down on Larkin's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Larkin flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Larkin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
McCool winds up and cracks Larkin with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
McCool looks gassed!
Larkin is looking for a sweep. McCool is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
McCool wants to pass to mount but Larkin is defending the position.
Larkin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of McCool's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take McCool's back!
McCool is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
McCool looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
McCool is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Larkin biding his time, controlling McCool.
McCool wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Finn McCool dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Larkin misses with a takedown
and McCool counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Larkin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
McCool misses with a few strikes there.
Larkin checks a leg kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larkin misses with a takedown attempt

and McCool counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McCool wants to get up but he can't break Larkin's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Larkin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCool scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Larkin manages to mount him!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larkin stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
McCool lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Larkin circles away quickly and effectively.
Larkin has his takedown stuffed
and McCool counters with a good, hard body kick but Larkin shrugs it off.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bronze Larkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

McCool looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
McCool looking to pass the guard.
McCool preventing the sweep.
McCool with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
McCool throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Larkin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Larkin keeping full guard, as McCool tries to pass.
Larkin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Larkin lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McCool!
McCool wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCool working to try and regain half guard.
McCool is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

Larkin stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Larkin avoids the body shot from McCool.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Larkin misses with a takedown
and McCool makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
McCool misses with a head kick.

McCool shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
McCool wants to pass the guard but Larkin is keeping the position.
Larkin wants to sweep here but McCool controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Larkin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
McCool is trying to stand back up but Larkin is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Finn McCool showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Larkin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Larkin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Finn McCool seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Larkin avoids the head kick by McCool.
Larkin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McCool counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCool connects with a body shot.
McCool misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Larkin doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McCool counters with a shoot takedown. Larkin fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCool postures up and lands a big shot to Larkin's brow.
Larkin keeping full guard, as McCool tries to pass.
Larkin trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
McCool trying to control but Larkin is working from the bottom.
Larkin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McCool must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McCool trying to control but Larkin is working from the bottom.
McCool won't allow Larkin to sweep him here.
Larkin is working hard here to advance position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
McCool works over Larkin's head and body with a nice combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Larkin takes a kick to the side of the head.
McCool lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Larkin misses with a takedown
and McCool counters with a series of strikes. Larkin will be more careful next time no doubt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bronze Larkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McCool tries a head kick but it misses.
Larkin has his takedown stuffed

and McCool counters with a single leg into guard. Larkin didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin looking to hit a scissor sweep but McCool is one step ahead there.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Larkin is on top in guard.
McCool is wriggling around but Larkin manages to pass to half guard.
Larkin is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
McCool is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four 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.

Larkin stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Larkin takes one to the side of the head.
Larkin shoots and misses

and McCool counters with a takedown into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Finn McCool comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McCool 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Finn McCool!