PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between William Joseph (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor O Mally (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joseph comes into the arena with TEARS FOR FEARS - SHOUT blaring out of the sound system. O Mally has chosen Dropkick Murphys - Rose Tattoo as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Joseph
vs
O Mally

175 cm
31
169 lbs
20 - 7 - 0

194 cm
33
186 lbs
22 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 20 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, William Joseph!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Connor O Mally!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Skip Squint and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Joseph shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Joseph throwing strikes but missing.
O Mally looking for a sweep. Not yet O Mally, not yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Joseph accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
O Mally is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Joseph trying to control but O Mally is working from the bottom.
Joseph is really struggling to control O Mally but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Joseph loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Joseph advances position into side control!

Joseph is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but O Mally is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
O Mally tries to bench press Joseph off him but Joseph keeps the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Joseph is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but O Mally is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The strikes coming from Joseph are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Joseph is working O Mally over with some ground and pound from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The ground and pound from Joseph seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The strikes coming from Joseph are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph creates some space and throws a big elbow, but O Mally sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
O Mally can't do much from the bottom here.
Joseph working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Joseph creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Joseph looking to control but instead O Mally has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

Joseph seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
O Mally is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Joseph seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
O Mally controlling the position well.
Joseph missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Joseph is thwarting O Mally's attempts to control the position.
Joseph working O Mally over with strikes.
Joseph throwing shots but O Mally is blocking nicely.
Joseph has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
O Mally is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joseph throws a sloppy strike and O Mally uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and O Mally has ended up in Joseph's guard.
Joseph wants to sweep here but O Mally controlling him for the moment.

Joseph working for a triangle but O Mally defends it easily.
Joseph trying to keep a closed guard but O Mally is proving a slippery customer.
O Mally must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Joseph looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but O Mally puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Joseph dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Joseph misses with a takedown attempt
and O Mally connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Joseph looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? O Mally is fending him off so far but Joseph persists. Nope, O Mally circles away and we're back to standing.
O Mally closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Joseph fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Joseph. That's going to take a lot out of him.

O Mally gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Joseph with a flurry of punches that miss.
Joseph throws an elbow that misses. O Mally uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Joseph's guard. Nice move by O Mally!

O Mally avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Joseph wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joseph is trying to control the position but O Mally postures up.
Joseph is adopting a defensive guard.
O Mally wants to get up but he can't break Joseph's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Joseph wants to control the position but O Mally says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
William Joseph overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Joseph is holding on to half guard well.
Joseph is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Joseph is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph is doing well to control the position and prevent O Mally from advancing to side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
O Mally passes into side control, despite Joseph's attempt to control the position.
O Mally tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Joseph gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Joseph wants to get back to full guard.
Joseph trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joseph keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Joseph might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Joseph moves into full guard.
Joseph wants to sweep but no luck.
O Mally trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joseph is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst O Mally is controlling him.
Joseph is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Joseph is on top in guard.
O Mally not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Joseph 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.
O Mally is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joseph in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Joseph dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Joseph has his takedown stuffed
and O Mally counters with a good low kick that Joseph was not able to check.
Joseph shoots in for a takedown but O Mally shows good takedown defense.
Joseph shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. O Mally defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Joseph. That's going to take a lot out of him.
O Mally waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Joseph.
William Joseph seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Joseph is trying hard to land a takedown here. O Mally sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
O Mally scores with a jab. Joseph acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
O Mally displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Joseph.
No luck for Joseph with that takedown attempt.
William Joseph is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Joseph is defended easily by O Mally.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A left lands for O Mally.
O Mally is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by O Mally as he connects with a hook.
O Mally throws a shot from downtown. Joseph moves away and avoids it.
O Mally throws a right and a left that both miss.
Joseph dives in and grabs O Mally's left leg, looking for a takedown. O Mally pushes down on Joseph's head and hops out.
O Mally feints a jab promting Joseph to slip. O Mally then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Joseph slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A punch combination from O Mally misses.
Joseph shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
O Mally cracks the inside of Joseph's front leg.
O Mally lands a nice hook to Joseph's body. Joseph takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
O Mally cracks Joseph with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
O Mally listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph shoots in for a double leg but O Mally sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
O Mally stuffs the takedown.
O Mally scores with a leg kick.
O Mally has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
O Mally getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A slapping leg kick lands for O Mally.
O Mally connects with a body shot.
O Mally connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Joseph takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
O Mally tries to bum rush Joseph with a series of wild strikes but Joseph uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
O Mally lands with an uppercut that bounces Joseph off the cage and back into range.
O Mally fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Joseph shoots for a takedown but O Mally saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
O Mally clobbers Joseph with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Connor O Mally has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
O Mally looks to land a combination. Joseph sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
O Mally defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Joseph.
Danga de danga de dang - O Mally scores with a four punch combination!
Left hook, right uppercut from O Mally.
Joseph takes one to the side of the head.
Joseph looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice body kick there by O Mally.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Joseph misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
O Mally rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Joseph moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Some wild striking there from O Mally.
Joseph looks for a takedown but O Mally sprawls well.
William Joseph is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
O Mally stuffs the takedown.
O Mally cracks Joseph with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Joseph dodges the punch combination from O Mally.
O Mally throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Joseph sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Joseph takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Joseph will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
O Mally jabs Joseph right on the nose. Joseph blinks but takes it well.
O Mally lands with a hook. Joseph tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

O Mally looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
O Mally is thwarting Joseph's attempts to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Connor O Mally comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Joseph 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 John Mangel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 29:28
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William Joseph!
A victorious William Joseph thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.