PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Morris McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Kova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kova is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Jääkärimarssi. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McDonald
vs
Kova

173 cm
26
169 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

180 cm
25
169 lbs
10 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Morris McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Seppo Kova!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kova misses with a two punch combination.
Sloppy strikes from Kova. Those never looked like landing.
Kova lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McDonald circles away quickly and effectively.
Kova lands with a kick to the temple. McDonald shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kova fails to land with a series of punches.
McDonald comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McDonald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McDonald turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kova looks gassed!
Kova looks to land a combination but McDonald avoids it well.
Kova fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kova tries to bum rush McDonald with a series of wild strikes but McDonald uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
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!
Kova thows a left - swing and a miss!
McDonald tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kova swivels and escapes.
McDonald fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kova is out of range.
McDonald lands a jab to Kova's midsection.
Kova misses with a double jab
and McDonald counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kova.
McDonald smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

McDonald drives through with a takedown into guard.
McDonald lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McDonald is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McDonald with a nice head shot there.

Kova working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McDonald doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McDonald manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonald landing some decent shots from guard.
McDonald lands a couple of decent looking shots.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kova looking for a sweep. Not yet Kova, not yet.
McDonald scoring with punches to the head and body.
McDonald postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
McDonald distracts Kova with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kova works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McDonald is looking to work some ground and pound but Kova has wrist control.
McDonald keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kova's head.
McDonald preventing the sweep.
McDonald has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
McDonald throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McDonald chips away with some ground and pound.
McDonald sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kova's guard.
McDonald looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
McDonald drops an elbow to the side of Kova's head.
Kova punching from the bottom.
Kova is looking to improve his position.
Kova trying to control from the bottom.

Kova looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McDonald drops an elbow to the side of Kova's head.
McDonald working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kova tries to roll over but McDonald keeps him under control.
Kova is trying to stand back up but McDonald is controlling him
The fighters are battling for position here. Kova manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
McDonald cracks Kova with a solid left hand.
McDonald scoring with some ground and pound.
McDonald lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McDonald lands a couple of elbows.
McDonald distracts Kova with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kova wants to sweep but no luck.
McDonald is in close to Kova's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McDonald is in close to Kova's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McDonald stands up over Kova, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

McDonald got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kova has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McDonald has managed to get both his arms back between Kova's legs - danger averted.
McDonald lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's 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!
McDonald scoring with some ground and pound.
McDonald landing some decent shots from guard.

Kova throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is in close to Kova's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McDonald stands up over Kova, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
McDonald lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kova looking to control.

McDonald is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
McDonald lands a couple of elbows.
McDonald scoring with punches to the head and body.
McDonald keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kova's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McDonald postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Kova is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
McDonald lands a couple of digs.
McDonald with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris McDonald dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kova fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McDonald manages to avoid it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as McDonald checks a leg kick.
McDonald avoids the body shot from Kova.
A big right from Kova misses.
McDonald looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kova is fending him off so far but McDonald persists. Nope, Kova circles away and we're back to standing.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kova misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kova falls off balance throwing a combination
and McDonald counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Seppo Kova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kova swings away with a leg kick that misses.
McDonald uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kova.
Kova throws a right and a left that McDonald avoids nicely.
McDonald will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kova is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kova will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Seppo Kova is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kova rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McDonald has a takedown stuffed.
Kova dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McDonald. That did some damage!
No joy there for Kova, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kova moves out of range as McDonald strikes.
Good leg kick by Kova there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kova scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A bone on bone clash there as McDonald blocks the leg kick.
Kova thows a leg kick but McDonald checks it
letting McDonald counter with a right hand.
McDonald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kova misses with the combination.
McDonald punishes Kova's body with a nice straight punch.
Morris McDonald is winning the standup battle so far.
McDonald fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Morris McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kova stalks McDonald and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McDonald's face. McDonald staggers backwards, shaken.
Kova keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kova throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McDonald thows a body shot but no joy.
Kova misses with a combination
and McDonald counters with a right hand to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McDonald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kova.
McDonald throws a body punch but Kova moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kova rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Seppo Kova is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kova misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McDonald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McDonald throws a looping overhand right but Kova ducks down to avoid it.
Kova fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McDonald blocks a head kick by Kova.
Kova closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sloppy strikes from Kova. Those never looked like landing.
McDonald scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kova on the wrong end of a nice hook.
McDonald misses with a wild body shot.
Kova throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kova misses with a few strikes there.
Kova motions for McDonald to come forward. Kova throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kova doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kova is looking to score with low kicks.
McDonald fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kova checks it well.
Kova throws a head kick that misses.
Kova misses with a body shot.
Kova swinging wildly here.
McDonald works Kova's body with a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDonald misses with a low kick.
Kova takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kova throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Morris McDonald will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

McDonald with a nice cross.
Kova throws a left and a right that both miss
and McDonald counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
McDonald fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kova looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
McDonald throws a body punch but Kova moves out of range.
McDonald avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McDonald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kova manages to avoid it.
McDonald misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

McDonald shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
McDonald blocks Kova's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Morris McDonald overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kova is looking to improve his position but McDonald isn't that keen on the idea.
Kova taking shots to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kova is trying desperately to improve position.

McDonald is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kova can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald landing punches.
McDonald scoring with strikes but Kova is staying in there.
McDonald looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
McDonald looking to finish Kova with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kova!
McDonald throwing strikes here but Kova is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Kova is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kova in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Kova really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kova tries to hold on but McDonald postures up.
McDonald raining down hammerfists from mount.
Kova is working to get back to half guard.
Morris McDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kova working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kova bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kova must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McDonald pulls Kova in close to prevent any damage.
McDonald working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kova.
McDonald pulls Kova in to control the position.
Seppo Kova has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kova throwing strikes from guard but McDonald blocks nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
McDonald has control of Kova's left arm, preventing Kova from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Morris McDonald wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Kova keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kova swings and misses with a shot to the body

and McDonald counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kova's guard now.
McDonald is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Kova working for a triangle but McDonald defends it easily.
Kova being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Kova for as long as he can get away with.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Morris McDonald just wasn't active enough.
Kova throws a series of punches but McDonald moves out of range.
Kova will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonald stuns Kova with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kova swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McDonald counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Morris McDonald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McDonald has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

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