PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Deurell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morris McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Morris McDonald is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Deurell
vs
McDonald

165 cm
26
165 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

173 cm
32
169 lbs
21 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Deurell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Morris McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Deurell with a poor takedown
and McDonald cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Deurell clinches up with McDonald and pushes him back against the cage.
Deurell is trying to drag McDonald to the mat but McDonald just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
McDonald is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Deurell pulls McDonald into guard.
McDonald trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Deurell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McDonald.

Deurell working for a triangle but McDonald defends it easily.

Deurell 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.
McDonald throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deurell has momentary wrist control but McDonald slips an elbow through the middle.
McDonald advances to half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McDonald connects with a nice short shot to Deurell's temple.
McDonald seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Deurell has his hands clasped together around McDonald's back. He's all about the action.
McDonald drops an elbow to the side of Deurell's head.
McDonald has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McDonald throwing shots but Deurell is blocking nicely.

McDonald looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

McDonald is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deurell wants to get back to full guard.
McDonald is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Deurell reverses the position - he's now on top in McDonald's guard.
McDonald striking from his own guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McDonald is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonald postures up.
McDonald scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Deurell wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
McDonald distracts Deurell with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McDonald accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deurell controls McDonald momentarily but McDonald frees himself.
McDonald throws a big elbow that misses.
McDonald postures up and lands a big shot to Deurell's brow.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McDonald accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McDonald loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Deurell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McDonald with a flurry of punches that miss.
McDonald scoring with punches to the head and body.
McDonald scoring with punches to the head and body.
McDonald postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands a couple of elbows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Deurell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Deurell lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McDonald!
Deurell sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
McDonald is desperately trying to improve his position but Deurell has a good base and remains in mount.
McDonald wants to control but Deurell is having none of it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Deurell is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. McDonald can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
McDonald keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
McDonald swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris McDonald dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Deurell lands a jab to the head.
McDonald dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McDonald looks to score with a jab to the body but Deurell is just out of range.
Decent striking displayed by McDonald there.
Deurell tries to close the distance and clinch but McDonald swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Deurell as he jumps to the side.
Decent striking displayed by McDonald there.
McDonald throws a body punch but Deurell moves out of range.
McDonald takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Deurell slips a straight right by McDonald.

McDonald closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McDonald lands 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 throws a big right hand that misses.
McDonald throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deurell preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Deurell is on top in guard.
Deurell controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
McDonald looking to control.
McDonald doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
McDonald is trying to keep Deurell in close.
McDonald might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Deurell haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Morris McDonald hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
McDonald misses with a looping right.
Deurell misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throws a body punch but Deurell moves out of range.

McDonald scores with a takedown into Deurell's guard.
Deurell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McDonald landing with the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McDonald throws an elbow that misses. Deurell uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McDonald's guard. Nice move by Deurell!
McDonald trying to keep a closed guard but Deurell is proving a slippery customer.
McDonald looking to hit a scissor sweep but Deurell is one step ahead there.
Deurell works over McDonald with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deurell's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Deurell trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McDonald controls Deurell momentarily but Deurell frees himself.
Deurell trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morris McDonald has got the better of the ground game so far.

We're going to have a standup here because John Deurell wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
McDonald misses the shot to the body.
McDonald scores with a punch to the head.
McDonald ducks under a wild hook from Deurell.
McDonald moves away from the strike by Deurell.

McDonald feints and as Deurell raises his hands in defense, McDonald changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
McDonald postures up in Deurell's guard and throws a big left but Deurell blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deurell lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McDonald!
McDonald is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Deurell prevents McDonald from getting the reversal.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonald is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Deurell blocks McDonald's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Deurell lands a heavy elbow.
McDonald regains half guard.
McDonald is trying to maintain the position but Deurell is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris McDonald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Deurell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Deurell lunges at McDonald with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McDonald's hand.

Excellent takedown into side control there by McDonald.
Deurell tries to bench press McDonald off him but McDonald keeps the position.
McDonald landing strikes.
McDonald misses with the ground and pound.
Deurell is trying to control McDonald's posture but McDonald avoids it.
Deurell tries to improve position but can't.
Deurell is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked McDonald off and has taken his back!
Deurell lands with a hammerfist to the side of McDonald's head.
McDonald looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
McDonald wants to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deurell doesn't have the hooks in and McDonald manages to turn into his guard.

Deurell is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McDonald defends well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McDonald accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Deurell working for a triangle but McDonald defends it easily.
McDonald postures up and lands a big shot to Deurell's brow.
McDonald throwing strikes from guard but Deurell blocks nicely.
McDonald with a flurry of punches that miss.
McDonald postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McDonald with a flurry of punches that miss.
John Deurell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Morris McDonald is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deurell can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McDonald controls the pace.
Deurell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McDonald pushes down on Deurell's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Deurell tries to get to full guard but McDonald has control of the leg.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonald content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Deurell trying to control here.
McDonald tries to pass to full mount but Deurell defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald trying to control the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McDonald scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A jab from McDonald does it's job there.
McDonald shoots in for a double leg but Deurell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Deurell lands a jab to McDonald's midsection.
McDonald tries to land a leg kick but Deurell saw it coming and moves away.

Deurell closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into McDonald's guard.
McDonald trying to control the position.
Deurell sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
McDonald working a defensive guard here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
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!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Morris McDonald was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Deurell takes a swing at McDonald's ribcage but misses.
Deurell misses with a hook.
McDonald misses the shot to the body.
Deurell misses with a looping left.
McDonald closes this distance looking for a takedown but Deurell circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonald lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Deurell misses with a telegraphed body shot

and McDonald counters with a single leg into guard. Deurell didn't expect that.
McDonald controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Morris McDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McDonald 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

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