PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John McLachlan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate North (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McLachlan comes to the cage accompanied by Funeral For a Friend - 'History'. 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.

McLachlan
vs
North

178 cm
20
181 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

177 cm
20
175 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

CEC Nutrition Q160 *Christmas Sale*

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 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 Helsinki, John McLachlan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nate North!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
North throws a leg kick but McLachlan sees it coming and moves out of range.
North connects with a leg kick. McLachlan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

North gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McLachlan to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
McLachlan looking to pass the guard.
McLachlan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McLachlan slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
McLachlan throws a strike but North rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLachlan has control of North's left arm, preventing North from doing any damage.
North throwing strikes but missing.
North throws an elbow that misses. McLachlan uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in North's guard. Nice move by McLachlan!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McLachlan slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. North is keeping the position for now.
McLachlan sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed North's guard.
North is not content to let McLachlan control the position.
McLachlan is figuring out what he wants to do next.
McLachlan wants to take a breather but North is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McLachlan controlling the action here.

We're going to have a standup here because John McLachlan wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
North throws out a leg kick but McLachlan moves out of range and North only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
North throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
North on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McLachlan misses with a wild combination.
North misses with a low kick as McLachlan jumps back.
North moves out of range of the strikes.
North will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
North works McLachlan's body with a nice hook.
North attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
North misses with a low kick as McLachlan jumps back.
A big right from North misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
North ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
North dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McLachlan. That did some damage!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McLachlan blocks a jab.
North throws a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John McLachlan 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.

North throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McLachlan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sloppy strikes from North. Those never looked like landing.
North scores with a leg kick.
North throws a low kick but it's checked well by McLachlan.
North keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
North throws a leg kick but McLachlan moved away.
North tried to score with a low kick but McLachlan checks it.
Nate North seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
North throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
North throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
North throws a low kick but it's checked well by McLachlan.
McLachlan pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces North back to the cage. McLachlan follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
North connects with a leg kick. McLachlan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McLachlan.
North misses with a right hand
and McLachlan counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
North is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McLachlan.
North takes a swing at McLachlan's ribcage but misses.
North lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
McLachlan misses with a two punch combination.
North walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McLachlan checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Decent striking displayed by McLachlan there.
McLachlan thows a body shot but no joy.
A slapping leg kick lands for North.
McLachlan looks to throw the jab but North is out of range.
North misses with a hook.
North connects with a jab.
North dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nate North is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McLachlan blocks a leg kick.
McLachlan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by North.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nate North seems to be getting the better of the standup.
North shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
North does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A leg kick checked by McLachlan.
North cracks a nice hook into McLachlan's ribs.
North will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
North throws an off balance right hand
and McLachlan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
North swings and misses with a shot to the body
and McLachlan counters with a straight right hand.
McLachlan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
North fakes a jab and throws a low kick but McLachlan checks it well.
North tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McLachlan was well out of range. Poor timing from North.
North tries to work over McLachlan's front leg with a kick but McLachlan checks it.
McLachlan blocks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
North throws a leg kick but McLachlan sees it coming and checks it nicely.
North looks to throw the jab but McLachlan is out of range.
North attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
North moves away from the strike by McLachlan.
McLachlan checks a leg kick.
North throws a hook but McLachlan avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from North. McLachlan does a little dance to reset his feet.
North misses with a low kick.
McLachlan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before North can pounce on him.
North misses with a low kick.
North buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
McLachlan checks a low kick from North.
North on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
North misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
North has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McLachlan finds it's way round the side to connect with North's head.
North fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but McLachlan is out of range.
McLachlan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from North.
Nice shot by McLachlan.
McLachlan blocks a low kick nicely.
North fakes a jab and throws a low kick but McLachlan checks it well.
North throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
North misses the shot to the body.
North pivots, looking for a leg kick but McLachlan is out of range and North settles back down.
North tries to work over McLachlan's front leg with a kick but McLachlan checks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McLachlan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by North.
North throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
North throws a leg kick but McLachlan sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate North showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

North throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
North misses with a low kick.
North jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A jab from North misses.
McLachlan checks a leg kick.
McLachlan throws a good cross that connects.
North pivots, looking for a leg kick but McLachlan is out of range and North settles back down.
Decent striking displayed by McLachlan there.
McLachlan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
North lands a jab to McLachlan's midsection.
Some bone on bone action there as McLachlan checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McLachlan misses with a straight left.
North lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McLachlan misses with an uppercut. North saw that one coming.
McLachlan blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
North misses the shot to the body.
McLachlan checks a low kick from North.
McLachlan misses with a straight left.
North thuds a left hand into McLachlan's body.
McLachlan avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
North throws a solid leg kick but McLachlan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at North.
North throws a looping overhand right but McLachlan ducks down to avoid it.
McLachlan checks a leg kick nicely.
North throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
McLachlan misses with a wild body shot.
North throws a low kick but McLachlan moves out of range easily.
North takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The crowd cheers as McLachlan lands an impressive looking overhand right. North doesn't seem phased though.
McLachlan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
North throws a right hand that McLachlan ducks under and follows up with a left that McLachlan also avoids with ease.
North throws a leg kick but McLachlan checks it.
North fakes a jab and throws a low kick but McLachlan checks it well.
McLachlan misses with a body shot.
North with a hook.
North just misses with a punch to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
North misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McLachlan.
North throws a leg kick but McLachlan sees it coming and checks it nicely.
North ducks under a wild hook from McLachlan.
North misses with a low kick.
McLachlan throws an overhand right that lands on North's shoulder, as North tries to avoid the shot.
North will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
North throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by North.
A chopping leg kick lands by North.
North throws a leg kick but McLachlan moved away.
North tried to score with a low kick but McLachlan checks it.
North misses with a low kick.
North swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McLachlan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from North.
North throws out a loose jab but McLachlan uses good head movement to avoid it.
McLachlan sizes up North with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nice shot by McLachlan.
North thows a body shot but no joy.
North misses with a body shot.
North uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McLachlan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan shoots in but North avoids the takedown attempt easily.
North is looking to score with low kicks.
McLachlan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
North swings for the body but McLachlan moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from North misses the target.
McLachlan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
North misses with a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circling - McLachlan 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.
McLachlan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McLachlan throws a lazy right hand but North sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
North tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McLachlan was well out of range. Poor timing from North.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate North really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

North throws a chopping leg kick but McLachlan manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
McLachlan checks a low kick from North.
McLachlan is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
North is looking to chop away at McLachlan's legs.
North misses with a low kick as McLachlan jumps back.
North ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McLachlan moves away.
North is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down McLachlan rather than just go for the knockout.
McLachlan avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
North slips under a jab from McLachlan.
North will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
North misses with a left hand

and McLachlan counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in North's guard now.
McLachlan trying to control but North is working from the bottom.
McLachlan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLachlan throws a big elbow that misses.
McLachlan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. North swivels though and keeps the full guard.
John McLachlan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McLachlan slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
McLachlan throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan with the ground and pound but North regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
North gets full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McLachlan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. North is keeping the position for now.
McLachlan is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
North looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan looking to pass the guard.
McLachlanis looking to pass into half guard but North pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now North is in guard.
McLachlan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
North throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McLachlan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as North accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
North throws an elbow that misses. McLachlan uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in North's guard. Nice move by McLachlan!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan trying to control the position from guard on top but North is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McLachlan wants to pass the guard but North is keeping the position.
McLachlan trying to control the position from guard on top but North is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McLachlan postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John McLachlan had his way with Nate North in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

North takes a swing at McLachlan's ribcage but misses.
North misses with a leg kick
and McLachlan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
North fails to land with a series of punches.
North misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A looping hook to the body misses from North. McLachlan does a little dance to reset his feet.
North throws a big shot that misses.

McLachlan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
McLachlan lands with some vicious ground and pound - can North hang on?
McLachlan with shots to the head and body - North looks very uncomfortable down there.
McLachlan thowing shots but they're missing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McLachlan misses with a head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLachlan tries to control but North wriggling away.
North avoids a series of strikes thrown by McLachlan.
McLachlan takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan tries to control but North wriggling away.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
North working to try and regain half guard.
North is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
McLachlan misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
McLachlan looking to finish with strikes here!
North is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
North avoids a series of strikes thrown by McLachlan.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if North can do anything to dispel that myth.
North is looking to improve his position but McLachlan isn't that keen on the idea.
McLachlan is trying to control here but North has managed to regain half guard.
McLachlan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
North is trying to control but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
John McLachlan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McLachlan 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 48:47
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John McLachlan!
John McLachlan very nearly forgot to thank CEC Nutrition Q160 *Christmas Sale* amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.