PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Paul McCann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Uolevi Gepardi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

McCann
vs
Gepardi

174 cm
24
155 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

169 cm
28
152 lbs
16 - 9 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Paul McCann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Uolevi Gepardi!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from McCann misses.
McCann buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Paul McCann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gepardi scores with a jab.
Gepardi dives in and grabs McCann's left leg, looking for a takedown. McCann pushes down on Gepardi's head and hops out.
Gepardi throws out a loose jab but McCann uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gepardi misses the shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Gepardi misses the target.
Gepardi looks to throw the jab but McCann is out of range.
Gepardi throws a leg kick
and McCann counters with a nice body kick.
Gepardi takes a swing at McCann's ribcage but misses.
Gepardi shoots for a takedown but McCann saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McCann lands a lovely overhand right.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice body kick from McCann.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCann takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gepardi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McCann.
Gepardi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
McCann throws out a loose jab but Gepardi uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCann throws a leg kick but Gepardi checks it.
McCann throws a head kick but Gepardi moves out of range.

McCann has taken the fight to the clinch.

Gepardi gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gepardi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Gepardi is working for a kimura but McCann is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi trying to control the action but McCann is working from the bottom.

Gepardi is looking for a kimura but McCann is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gepardi to get the leverage.
Gepardi stops McCann from getting back to his feet.
Gepardi trying to advance position but McCann counters by regaining guard.
McCann is looking to stand up but Gepardi isn't so interested in that idea.
McCann is trying to keep Gepardi in close.
McCann on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McCann tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McCann works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gepardi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gepardi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gepardi throws a big right hand that misses.
McCann managing to control the position.

McCann pushes Gepardi off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Gepardi misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McCann looks to land a right hand but Gepardi moved out of range.
McCann throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
McCann tries to land a front kick but Gepardi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McCann slips a jab and a cross from Gepardi.
Gepardi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McCann.
McCann pulls out of a head kick attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gepardi throws a big shot that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCann throws a leg kick that misses.
Gepardi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McCann sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul McCann dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gepardi blocks a head kick by McCann.
Gepardi fails with a takedown attempt.
McCann scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
McCann connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gepardi momentarily.
Gepardi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McCann pinned against the cage. McCann gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gepardi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gepardi misses the shot to the body.
McCann lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gepardi at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gepardi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gepardi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gepardi throws a nice looking combination but McCann bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McCann lands with a kick to the temple. Gepardi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A solid leg kick lands there for McCann.
McCann throws a body punch but Gepardi moves out of range.
Gepardi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A swing and a miss from McCann.
McCann fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gepardi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
McCann throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gepardi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCann throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
McCann chopping away at his opponent's legs.
McCann throws a jab when Gepardi was well out of range.
Paul McCann is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCann ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gepardi moves away.
McCann doesn't manage to clinch there - Gepardi circles away.
McCann scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gepardi needs to keep his hands up - McCann had a free shot at his head there.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCann. Gepardi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gepardi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McCann avoids it really well and circles away.
Paul McCann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Uolevi Gepardi.
Gepardi ducks under a wild hook from McCann.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi blocks a jab.
McCann connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gepardi. Gepardi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gepardi just misses with a punch to the body.
McCann throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gepardi on the side of the head.
McCann moves out of range of the strikes.
Gepardi walks into a stiff left hand from McCann.
Paul McCann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCann. Gepardi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gepardi loads up on a big right hand but McCann slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi misses with a double jab.
Gepardi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gepardi misses with a left hand
and McCann makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Gepardi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gepardi shoots in looking for a takedown but McCann manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gepardi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gepardi fails with the takedown.
Gepardi is breathing heavily.
McCann lets loose with a powerful body kick. Gepardi will feel that in the morning.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A chopping leg kick lands by McCann.
McCann looks to throw the jab but Gepardi is out of range.
Gepardi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul McCann dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

McCann swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gepardi takes one to the chin there.
Gepardi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gepardi moves away from the strike by McCann.
Gepardi misses with a body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
McCann scores with a hook to the body. Gepardi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gepardi. McCann does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCann closes the distance looking to clinch
and Gepardi counters with a left to the body.
McCann connects with a leg kick. Gepardi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gepardi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gepardi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gepardi throws a jab when McCann was well out of range.
Gepardi moves out of range as McCann strikes.
Gepardi looks to score with a jab to the body but McCann is just out of range.
Gepardi ducks under a wild hook from McCann.
McCann lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McCann connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gepardi. Gepardi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McCann defending well as Gepardi loads up on a big left hand.
Uolevi Gepardi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McCann counters with a lovely shot to the body.
McCann scores with a hook to the body. Gepardi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gepardi shoots in for a takedown but McCann shows good takedown defense.
Gepardi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McCann feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gepardi's calf.
Gepardi misses with a few strikes there.
A solid leg kick lands there for McCann.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCann cracks the inside of Gepardi's front leg.
A kick lands to the mid section there for McCann.
McCann lands a really nice looking cross but Gepardi seems unphased.
Gepardi drops his hands momentarily and McCann takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCann throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gepardi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
McCann scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

McCann has taken the fight to the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McCann creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
McCann lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short left from McCann.
Gepardi prevents a body shot from McCann.
McCann tries to throw a body punch but Gepardi avoids it by throwing McCann back against the cage.
Gepardi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McCann prevents the takedown attempt.
Paul McCann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Uolevi Gepardi.
Gepardi can't get the takedown.
A short uppercut from McCann.
McCann lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gepardi.
McCann can't find room to land a body shot as Gepardi controls the action.
McCann tries a body shot but Gepardi blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gepardi takes a shot to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
McCann wants to stall.
McCann stalling.
Gepardi blocks a body shot from McCann.
McCann blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
McCann is pressed up against the cage. Gepardi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McCann down to the mat. McCann avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The fighters circling - Gepardi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gepardi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
McCann tries to clinch there but Gepardi circles away.
McCann throws a series of strikes that have Gepardi backpedaling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul McCann showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McCann, 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul McCann!
After winning the bout, Paul McCann thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.