PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lewis McLay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Pacquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McLay's entrance music is "The Party Song" by Blink 182. A fine choice. Pacquiao has chosen Outta your mind as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Manny Pacquiao has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Lewis McLay's chin.

McLay
vs
Pacquiao

176 cm
25
133 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

167 cm
25
130 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lewis McLay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Manny Pacquiao!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Eliza Hachem and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pacquiao throws a sloppy head kick and McLay moves out of range easily.
Pacquiao throws a head kick but McLay moves out of range.
Pacquiao dives in and grabs McLay's left leg, looking for a takedown. McLay pushes down on Pacquiao's head and hops out.

McLay moves into range and clinches up with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao avoiding damage as McLay throws knees to the body.
McLay tries for a takedown. No joy.
McLay drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pacquiao goes for a takedown in the clinch but McLay prevents it.
Pacquiao looking to stall.
McLay misses with a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McLay letting Pacquiao take a breather here.
McLay has Pacquiao pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Pacquiao manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lewis McLay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pacquiao lands with a short head shot on the inside.
McLay tries to pull guard but Pacquiao holds him up against the cage and eventually McLay drops back down to his feet.

McLay manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McLay is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLay is striking but Pacquiao is not phased and passes to half guard.
McLay is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Pacquiao is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Pacquiao trying to control from half guard but McLay is working away.
McLay is looking for a sweep. Pacquiao is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Pacquiao is trying to work for a kimura but McLay is defending well.

That's two 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pacquiao wants to clinch

and McLay counters with a single leg into guard. Pacquiao didn't expect that.
McLay throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McLay slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Pacquiao trying to control the position.
McLay works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLay is thwarting Pacquiao's attempts to control the position.
McLay trying to mount his opponent but Pacquiao defends it.
McLay uses his free foot to push down on Pacquiao's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Pacquiao.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pacquiao wants to control but McLay is having none of it.

McLay jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Pacquiao is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Pacquiao and McLay has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
McLay really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
McLay content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

McLay tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no McLay has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Pacquiao sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Pacquiao is not content to let McLay control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lewis McLay dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pacquiao tries to clinch but McLay moves away

and McLay decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pacquiao's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Pacquiao is on top in guard.
McLay keeping moving, preventing Pacquiao from controlling successfully.

McLay is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
McLay lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pacquiao!
McLay controlling the position easily from mount.
Pacquiao regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLay winds up and cracks Pacquiao with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Pacquiao controlling the position well.

McLay is looking for a kimura but Pacquiao is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for McLay to get the leverage.
McLay trying to control the action but Pacquiao is working from the bottom.
Pacquiao wants to control but McLay is keeping busy and won't allow it.
McLay trying to advance position but Pacquiao counters by regaining guard.
Pacquiao trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pacquiao utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McLay advances position into side control!
McLay trying to control the position but Pacquiao is working away.
Pacquiao is looking to work his way out of this bad position but McLay is controlling him well.
Pacquiao throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.

McLay tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

McLay tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no McLay has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLay working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
You can see the frustration on Pacquiao's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

McLay goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Pacquiao has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for McLay but great work by Pacquiao.
McLay can't do much from the bottom here.
McLay is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Pacquiao cracks McLay with a big right hand but McLay just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
McLay can't do much from the bottom here.
McLay is looking to regain half guard here but Pacquiao keeps moving and retains side control.
Pacquiao in side control, throwing shots but McLay defends.
McLay tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Pacquiao stands up.
A low kick from Pacquiao is predictable there

and McLay counters with a single leg into guard. Pacquiao didn't expect that.

McLay postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Pacquiao is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of McLay, into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lewis McLay dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Pacquiao tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so McLay counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
McLay sitting in guard here, content to control.
McLay passes Pacquiao's left leg - he's now in half guard.

McLay is working for a kimura but Pacquiao is defending it quite comfortably.

McLay decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pacquiao tries to clinch but McLay moves away

and McLay counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
McLay passes Pacquiao's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McLay performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
McLay uses his free foot to push down on Pacquiao's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Pacquiao.
McLay trying to control but he's not successful this time.
McLay putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLay putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Pacquiao is trying desperately to improve position.
Pacquiao is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

McLay swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Pacquiao is now in McLay's guard. A big mistake from McLay there, giving up the dominant position!
McLay trying to control the position here.
McLay looking for a sweep. Not yet McLay, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McLay looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Pacquiao passes into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Pacquiao is working for a kimura but McLay is defending it quite comfortably.

McLay is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pacquiao pulls his head out easily.
McLay wants to get back to full guard.
Lewis McLay overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Pacquiao is sneakily working for an arm triangle but McLay sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four 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.
Pacquiao stops McLay from getting back to his feet.
Pacquiao uses his free foot to push down on McLay's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for McLay.
McLay is looking to improve his position but Pacquiao isn't that keen on the idea.
McLay gets back to half guard.

Pacquiao escapes and gets back to his feet.
McLay wants to clinch up but Pacquiao keeps it at a distance.
Pacquiao closes the distance looking to clinch

and McLay counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Pacquiao's guard now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lewis McLay showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McLay, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lewis McLay!