PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shawn MacArthur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antoine Wallace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Wallace's choice of entrance music: Shook Ones Part II by Mobb Deep. 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.

MacArthur
vs
Wallace

170 cm
26
185 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
26
186 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shawn MacArthur!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Antoine Wallace!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Bruno Hogan and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacArthur fails with the takedown
and Wallace counters with a nice uppercut.
Wallace throws a hook but MacArthur blocks it.
Wallace throws an ugly left hook that misses
and MacArthur counters with a two punch combo.
Wallace attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Wallace is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by MacArthur.
Wallace should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
The fighters circling - Wallace throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
MacArthur doesn't succeed with the takedown
and MacArthur takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur swinging wildly here.
Wallace keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
MacArthur checks the leg kick.
Wallace swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting MacArthur counter with a right hand.
Wallace misses with a left hand

and MacArthur counters with a takedown into side control.
Wallace tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

MacArthur tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Wallace is trying to get back to half guard.

MacArthur is trying to get an arm triangle but Wallace is defending well.
Sloppy strikes there by MacArthur.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallace tries to improve position but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

MacArthur is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Wallace knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

MacArthur thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

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.
Wallace is not content to let MacArthur control the position.

MacArthur working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

MacArthur looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
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 Shawn MacArthur will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

MacArthur ducks under a wild hook from Wallace.
MacArthur tries for a takedown but Wallace circles away easily
and Wallace counters with a straight right hand.
MacArthur shoots for a double leg takedown but Wallace sprawls well. He's pushed MacArthur's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Wallace looks to score with a jab to the body but MacArthur is just out of range.
Wallace looks to land a left hand but MacArthur moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacArthur looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Wallace gets back to full guard.
MacArthur stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wallace swivels though and keeps the full guard.
MacArthur is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.

MacArthur is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Wallace is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Wallace has escaped and now he's on top!
Wallace controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

MacArthur working for a triangle but Wallace defends it easily.
MacArthur working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
MacArthur wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Wallace is now in half guard.
MacArthur is looking for a sweep. Wallace is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Wallace works his way into full mount!
Wallace prevents MacArthur from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antoine Wallace showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Wallace misses with a hook.
Wallace waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract MacArthur.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Wallace throws a poor cross that misses

and MacArthur counters with a single leg into guard. Wallace didn't expect that.
MacArthur trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
Wallace controls MacArthur momentarily but MacArthur frees himself.
MacArthur trying to control the position from guard on top but Wallace is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur pushes down on Wallace's leg and manages to get into half guard.
MacArthur is looking to take a break and control but Wallace is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
MacArthur is just content to waste time from the top position. Wallace takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

MacArthur is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Wallace is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Wallace has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

MacArthur is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wallace controlling from the top position.

MacArthur is looking for a triangle but Wallace pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallace controlling from the top position.
MacArthur trying to control the position.
Wallace's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
MacArthur is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wallace just misses with a punch to the body.
Shawn MacArthur is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

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.
Wallace takes a swing at MacArthur's ribcage but misses.
Wallace misses with a looping left.
MacArthur fails with a takedown attempt.
Wallace throws a right hand that misses

and MacArthur counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by MacArthur.
MacArthur tries to pull guard but Wallace won't allow it.
MacArthur has Wallace pressed against the cage, preventing Wallace from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MacArthur is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
MacArthur wants a takedown but no success here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shawn MacArthur showed his dominance in that final round.
I think MacArthur 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shawn MacArthur!