PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tommy McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandar Ibrahimovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ibrahimovic is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Mind Heist. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

McDonald
vs
Ibrahimovic

180 cm
25
163 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

190 cm
21
167 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Recovery

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aleksandar Ibrahimovic!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonald stalks Ibrahimovic and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ibrahimovic's face. Ibrahimovic staggers backwards, shaken.
Ibrahimovic tries to clinch there but McDonald circles away.
McDonald sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
McDonald swings for the body but Ibrahimovic moves out of range.
Ibrahimovic uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McDonald thuds his right hand into Ibrahimovic's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ibrahimovic tries to clinch up but McDonald circles away and keeps his distance.
McDonald jabs Ibrahimovic right on the nose. Ibrahimovic blinks but takes it well.
Ibrahimovic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McDonald looks to land a right hand but Ibrahimovic moved out of range.
Ibrahimovic throws a half hearted mid kick.
McDonald wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ibrahimovic on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ibrahimovic was well out of range. Poor timing from McDonald.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McDonald.
Ibrahimovic is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ibrahimovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ibrahimovic staying out of range there.
Ibrahimovic doesn't manage to clinch there - McDonald circles away.
Ibrahimovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McDonald stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
McDonald misses with a wild body shot.
McDonald loads up on a big right hand but Ibrahimovic slips the punch.

McDonald bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
McDonald wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ibrahimovic keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald controlling from side mount.
McDonald in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald working away.
Ibrahimovic is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on McDonald's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
McDonald keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ibrahimovic is concentrating on defense, preventing McDonald from advancing position.
Ibrahimovic is looking 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.
Ibrahimovic is controlling McDonald's trapped leg to prevent McDonald from advancing to side control.
McDonald stalling away here and it's allowed Ibrahimovic to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
McDonald has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
McDonald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McDonald is stalling in the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tommy McDonald will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McDonald scores with a takedown into Ibrahimovic's guard.
Ibrahimovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ibrahimovic looking for a sweep. Not yet Ibrahimovic, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald thows a big elbow that misses.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Ibrahimovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ibrahimovic is trying to control the position but McDonald postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ibrahimovic holds on and takes a little breather.
McDonald tries to free his leg and advance position but Ibrahimovic is retaining full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ibrahimovic avoids the body shot from McDonald.

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

Ibrahimovic rushes McDonald and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McDonald is trying to break the clinch but Ibrahimovic is controlling him.
Ibrahimovic is trying to stall.
McDonald is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ibrahimovic pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ibrahimovic taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
McDonald working hard to break the clinch.
McDonald tries to break the clinch but Ibrahimovic is controlling the position.
McDonald has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ibrahimovic putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McDonald in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ibrahimovic keeps control of McDonald as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McDonald wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ibrahimovic has him pressed against the cage.
Ibrahimovic manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Ibrahimovic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McDonald.
McDonald is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ibrahimovic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ibrahimovic - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ibrahimovic landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McDonald blocks it with crossed arms.
Ibrahimovic tries a knee to the head but McDonald blocks it.
Ibrahimovic prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ibrahimovic missing with knees to the body.

McDonald has clasped his hands together around Ibrahimovic's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Ibrahimovic is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked McDonald off and has taken his back!
McDonald tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
McDonald regains half guard.
McDonald wants to improve his position but Ibrahimovic is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is working hard here to advance position.
Still in half guard, Ibrahimovic seems content to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald is looking to improve his position.
McDonald trying to control from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDonald tries to get to full guard but Ibrahimovic has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy McDonald dominated that second round.
That's time! McDonald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McDonald shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ibrahimovic defends it nicely.
McDonald throws a hook but Ibrahimovic blocks it.
Ibrahimovic throws the kick towards the body but McDonald avoids it.
McDonald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from McDonald. Ibrahimovic does a little dance to reset his feet.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ibrahimovic as he avoids it easily.
McDonald bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ibrahimovic slips a jab from McDonald.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McDonald.
McDonald lands with a good body shot.
A thudding body kick lands there by Ibrahimovic!
Ibrahimovic fails in his attempt to clinch.
McDonald misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McDonald avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ibrahimovic clinches up against the cage.
Ibrahimovic tries to stall but McDonald uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ibrahimovic lands a nice knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ibrahimovic obliges.
McDonald wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ibrahimovic scores a nice knee to the body.
Ibrahimovic taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
McDonald is working for takedown but Ibrahimovic is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tommy McDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald can't get the takedown.
Ibrahimovic working McDonald over with knees to the body.
Ibrahimovic avoiding damage.
The crowd are getting on Ibrahimovic's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Ibrahimovic is trying to stall.
Ibrahimovic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Aleksandar Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic thows a body kick. McDonald tries to catch it but that hurt him.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ibrahimovic as he jumps to the side.
Ibrahimovic wants to clinch.
Ibrahimovic lands a front kick.
Tommy McDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ibrahimovic wants to clinch up but McDonald keeps it at a distance.
Ibrahimovic tries to close the distance and clinch up but McDonald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McDonald scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Aleksandar Ibrahimovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ibrahimovic defends it nicely.
McDonald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ibrahimovic moves in looking to clinch but McDonald pushes him off.
McDonald circles away from the clinch attempt.
McDonald keeps the fight on the outside.
McDonald tries for a takedown but Ibrahimovic sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDonald misses the shot to the body.
Aleksandar Ibrahimovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ibrahimovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ibrahimovic leaves McDonald with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksandar Ibrahimovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McDonald has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy McDonald!