PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Billy Riley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donnie McClean (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Riley
vs
McClean

172 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
21
152 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Billy Riley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Donnie McClean!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Daniel Bishop and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riley fails with a takedown attempt.

McClean shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

McClean is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Riley as he works his way to full guard.
Riley is pulling down on McClean's head to control his posture.
McClean is looking to work some ground and pound but Riley has wrist control.
Riley looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
McClean is working Riley over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McClean trying to control but Riley is working from the bottom.

Riley working for a triangle but McClean defends it easily.
Riley looking for a sweep. Not yet Riley, not yet.
McClean sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two 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.
Riley looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Riley keeping full guard, as McClean tries to pass.
McClean looking to sit in guard and control but Riley gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Riley drops back, looking for a kneebar! McClean looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. McClean looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from McClean!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McClean working the ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McClean in side control, throwing shots but Riley defends.
Riley holds on to McClean's head and controls the position momentarily.
Riley is trying to get back to half guard.
McClean with the ground and pound but Riley regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
McClean throwing shots but Riley is blocking nicely.
McClean seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Riley does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

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.
Riley blocking the ground and pound attempt from McClean.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McClean is just content to waste time from the top position. Riley takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
McClean looks gassed!
McClean trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Riley has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Riley 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McClean trying to control but Riley is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donnie McClean dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Riley gets a takedown into half guard.

Riley wants to work for an arm triangle but McClean is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Riley looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Riley missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McClean is looking to control Riley's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McClean avoid being mounted?
Riley is looking to stall here but McClean recovers full guard.
Riley looking to pass the guard.
McClean is breathing heavily.
McClean looking to hit a scissor sweep but Riley is one step ahead there.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Riley wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Riley is on top in guard.
Riley trying to control but McClean is working from the bottom.
Riley postures up and lands a big shot to McClean's brow.
Riley trying to control the position from guard on top but McClean is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Riley trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McClean trying to keep a closed guard but Riley is proving a slippery customer.

Riley is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
McClean is trying to control the position but Riley postures up.

Riley thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Riley shoots and misses

and McClean counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McClean.
Riley keeping moving, preventing McClean from controlling successfully.
Riley wants to sweep here but McClean controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
McClean can't escape the position.
Riley controlling his opponent.
McClean tries to reverse the position but Riley maintains control.

Riley stands up from mount. Strange move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Donnie McClean will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Riley shoots and misses

and McClean counters with a shoot takedown. Riley fights it but they end up in guard.
McClean trying to control but Riley is working from the bottom.
McClean is in close to Riley's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McClean must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Riley has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
McClean controlling from the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McClean trying to control but Riley is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McClean throws a strike but Riley rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
McClean keeping moving, preventing Riley from controlling successfully.

Riley drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Riley jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Riley stays in close to McClean's body and controls the position.

Riley thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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.
McClean lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Riley!
McClean putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
McClean throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Riley is working to get back to half guard.
McClean avoids the attempt from Riley to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McClean wants to control the action but instead Riley gets a body lock and reverses into McClean's guard! Nice work!
Riley scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Riley is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Riley pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McClean is keeping the position for now.
McClean has a closed guard, preventing Riley from standing up.
McClean has his hands on Riley's head, controlling the position.

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.
Riley wants to get up but he can't break McClean's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Riley is looking to work some ground and pound but McClean has wrist control.
McClean looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
McClean walks into a straight right hand from Riley.
Donnie McClean is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Riley throws a series of punches but McClean avoids them all with ease.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Riley shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and McClean decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Riley's guard.
Billy Riley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Riley keeping full guard, as McClean tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donnie McClean comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McClean 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donnie McClean!