PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eddie McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Yemo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McDonald's entrance music is March of Cambreadth. A fine choice. Bill Yemo told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

McDonald
vs
Yemo

185 cm
27
185 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

177 cm
23
187 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eddie McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bill Yemo!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Joseph Jones and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yemo slaps away a takedown attempt from McDonald, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Yemo misses with a low kick.

Yemo feints and as McDonald raises his hands in defense, Yemo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yemo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McDonald swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McDonald preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McDonald wants to stand up but Yemo is controlling him.
Yemo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McDonald keeping moving, preventing Yemo from controlling successfully.
Yemo might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control McDonald kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Yemo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yemo wants to control from the top but McDonald keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Yemo missing with a left hand there. McDonald was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Yemo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Yemo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Yemo drags the fight down to the ground.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Yemo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Yemo is working an open guard so McDonald takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
McDonald ducks under a wild hook from Yemo.
McDonald displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yemo throws out the jab.
Yemo avoids the head kick by McDonald.
A kick lands to the mid section there for McDonald.
Yemo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McDonald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yemo.
McDonald connects with a nice looking jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yemo misses with a jab to the body
and McDonald counters with a nice body kick.
Yemo looks gassed!
McDonald tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Yemo counters with a stiff right hand.

McDonald moves into the clinch.
McDonald lands an elbow just above Yemo 's eye.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonald with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
McDonald lands a good knee to the midsection. Yemo won't want to take too many of those.
McDonald is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
McDonald tries to land a knee to the head but Yemo blocks with his arms.
Yemo tries to break free but McDonald pushes him back against the cage.
McDonald comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
McDonald goes for a takedown in the clinch but Yemo prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Yemo blocks it with crossed arms.
Yemo can't break the clinch.
Yemo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McDonald has him pressed against the cage.
McDonald pushes off an throws an elbow but Yemo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
McDonald pushes off an throws an elbow but Yemo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A knee to the head by McDonald.
McDonald is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yemo pulls him back up using the underhooks.

McDonald has picked Yemo up - he's going for a ride! McDonald dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

McDonald decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
McDonald lands with a kick to the temple. Yemo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Yemo sprawls well initially but McDonald persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Yemo is trying to get back to full guard.
Yemo works his way to full guard. Good work.

Yemo is working an open guard so McDonald takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Yemo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McDonald moves away.
McDonald throws a series of punches but Yemo avoids them all with ease.
McDonald tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yemo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McDonald somewhat.
Yemo takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Yemo misses the jab.
Eddie McDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yemo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McDonald can pounce on him.
Yemo misses with an uppercut.
Yemo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
McDonald scores with a head kick.
Yemo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McDonald. McDonald obviously looking to wear him down.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McDonald takes one to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonald tries for a takedown but Yemo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McDonald blocks a jab.
Yemo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between McDonald's hands.
McDonald fails with an attempt to clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yemo blocks the body kick.
McDonald keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yemo.
McDonald cracks Yemo with an open hand slap.
Yemo takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Yemo throws a looping overhand right but McDonald ducks down to avoid it.

Yemo scores a takedown into full mount!
McDonald wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Yemo working McDonald over with strikes here.
Yemo misses with a head shot.
Poor strikes thrown by Yemo there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Yemo unloads with some shots from mount but McDonald bucks and avoids them well.

Yemo goes for an armbar but McDonald turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from McDonald.
Yemo is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yemo looking for a sweep. Not yet Yemo, not yet.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Yemo keeps moving.
McDonald passes Yemo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Yemo is in trouble now - McDonald has advanced to mount!

McDonald working for a guillotine from mount but Yemo is in no mood to give up.

McDonald with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

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.
McDonald wants to take his opponent's back but Yemo doesn't allow it.

McDonald looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Yemo sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

McDonald is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Yemo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Yemo.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yemo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald preventing the sweep.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Yemo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McDonald is really struggling to control Yemo but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Yemo can't keep his opponent in guard - McDonald advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Eddie McDonald overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

McDonald is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Yemo lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Yemo manages to get to full guard.
Yemo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McDonald throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McDonald wants to get up but he can't break Yemo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Yemo looking to hit a scissor sweep but McDonald is one step ahead there.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McDonald goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
McDonald leaves Yemo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McDonald moves in looking to clinch but Yemo pushes him off.
Yemo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McDonald.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yemo stuffs the takedown.
McDonald closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yemo circles away.
Yemo throws a hook but McDonald blocks it.
McDonald misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Yemo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Yemo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McDonald.
Yemo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McDonald.
Yemo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Yemo wants it to stay on the feet.
McDonald tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McDonald pushes Yemo away with a front kick.
Yemo misses with a looping right.
Yemo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McDonald tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McDonald throws a sloppy head kick and Yemo moves out of range easily.

McDonald shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Yemo tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yemo tries to get to full guard but McDonald has control of the leg.
McDonald has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yemo sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
McDonald thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yemo's head.
Yemo missing with punches from the bottom.
McDonald takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

McDonald is working for a kimura but Yemo is defending it quite comfortably.
Yemo is pressing down on McDonald's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Yemo scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Yemo wants to sweep but no luck.
McDonald content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yemo wants to sweep but no luck.
McDonald not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Yemo trying to keep a closed guard but McDonald is proving a slippery customer.
Yemo keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McDonald is looking to clinch.
Yemo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McDonald. That did some damage!
A head kick misses from McDonald.
A head kick from McDonald lands but Yemo takes it in his stride.
Yemo throws a hook but McDonald blocks it.
McDonald tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Eddie McDonald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yemo throws a head kick but McDonald moves out of range.
A big left from Yemo misses.
Eddie McDonald is winning the standup battle so far.
McDonald moves in looking to clinch but Yemo pushes him off.
McDonald fails in his attempt to clinch.

McDonald darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
McDonald seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
McDonald prevents Yemo from improving his position.
Yemo is not content to let McDonald control the position.
McDonald content to control rather than advance.

McDonald is working for a kimura but Yemo is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McDonald stands up and beckons Yemo to join him on the feet.
McDonald takes one on the button.
Yemo scores with a leg kick.
Yemo wants to clinch but McDonald slips to the side
and McDonald counters with a one-two to the body.
Yemo throws a wild body kick that McDonald sees coming a mile off.
Yemo misses with the combination.
McDonald slips a jab from Yemo.
McDonald fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yemo avoids it really well and circles away.
Yemo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eddie McDonald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McDonald has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight for Eddie McDonald!
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight for Eddie McDonald!
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight for Eddie McDonald!

Eddie McDonald wins by unanimous decision!