PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex McGillian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrew Lilian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

McGillian
vs
Lilian

222 cm
25
242 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
23
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex McGillian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andrew Lilian!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGillian throws a chopping leg kick but Lilian manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

McGillian drives through and clinches with Lilian against the cage.

Lilian has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics McGillian uses from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lilian throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
McGillian really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Lilian is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McGillian is looking to work some ground and pound but Lilian has wrist control.
McGillian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lilian controlling McGillian's posture.

Lilian working for a triangle but McGillian defends it easily.
McGillian trying to control but Lilian is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lilian is adopting a defensive guard.
McGillian will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lilian keeping moving, preventing McGillian from controlling successfully.
Lilian wants to sweep but no luck.

Lilian throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lilian lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McGillian!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lilian controlling from the full mount.
McGillian is squirming around, avoiding Lilian's attempts to control the action.
Lilian tries to push McGillian's head away but McGillian is holding on tight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McGillian defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Lilian.
McGillian tries to hold on but Lilian postures up.
McGillian on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McGillian tries to get out of the position.
Lilian looking to finish McGillian with some ground and pound. This is bad for McGillian!
McGillian keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
McGillian tries to hold on but Lilian pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lilian blocks McGillian's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
McGillian can't escape the position.

Lilian is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. McGillian can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Lilian controlling from the full mount.
Lilian unloading with bombs!
McGillian knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lilian on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lilian is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lilian controlling from the full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Lilian dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick misses from Lilian.

Lilian closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming McGillian to the mat! McGillian manages to get full guard.

Lilian stands up from guard. Let's bang!
McGillian fails with a takedown attempt.
Lilian throws a body punch but McGillian moves out of range.
Lilian throws a right hand that misses
and McGillian counters with a left and a right that stings Lilian.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lilian.
Lilian looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lilian shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Alex McGillian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrew Lilian.
Lilian is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGillian is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lilian goes for a takedown attempt but McGillian pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Lilian tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGillian swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGillian leaves Lilian with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McGillian fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Lilian is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGillian looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lilian is fending him off so far but McGillian persists. Nope, Lilian circles away and we're back to standing.

McGillian closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Lilian sneaks back into half guard.
Lilian punching from the bottom.
McGillian wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lilian keeps working.

Lilian has one foot on McGillian's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Lilian moves into range and clinches up with McGillian.

Lilian turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lilian taking a breather here.
Lilian in side control lands a decent elbow.
McGillian is looking for a sweep.
Lilian lands some shots froms side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGillian is letting Lilian control him for a moment.

Lilian decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Lilian throws a front kick aimed at McGillian's knee but McGillian avoids it well.
Lilian fails to land the takedown.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McGillian stuffs the takedown attempt from Lilian. Lilian gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Lilian 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! This is the final round!

Lilian stuffs the takedown attempt from McGillian. McGillian gets slowly back to his feet.

Lilian tries to keep at a distance but McGillian has taken the fight into the clinch.

Lilian wants the takedown. McGillian is fighting it off but Lilian persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in McGillian's guard against the cage.
Lilian stays in close to McGillian's body and controls the position.

Lilian stands up from McGillian's guard - Lilian perhaps looking for a knockout.
McGillian changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lilian tries to avoid it but McGillian manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lilian to the ground. Lilian escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGillian throws a sloppy head kick and Lilian moves out of range easily.
McGillian lands a slapping body shot.

Lilian looking to score a takedown here. McGillian is defending well but Lilian drives through and ends up in McGillian's guard.
McGillian is trying to keep Lilian in close.
Lilian controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Andrew Lilian hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Lilian tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McGillian swivels and escapes.
Sloppy strikes from Lilian. Those never looked like landing.
Alex McGillian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Lilian closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming McGillian to the mat! McGillian manages to get full guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Lilian is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lilian gets to his feet - McGillian follows without any prompting.
Lilian tries to land a front kick but McGillian steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McGillian avoids the head kick by Lilian.
McGillian leaves Lilian with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McGillian shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lilian as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex McGillian. That's going to take a lot out of him.

McGillian feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lilian throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lilian manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Andrew Lilian has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lilian content just to control the position here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McGillian tries to improve his position but instead Lilian has taken his back!

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew Lilian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lilian winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrew Lilian!