PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rory MacDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alfio Bovolenta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

MacDonald
vs
Bovolenta

185 cm
25
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rory MacDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alfio Bovolenta!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Sergei Dronov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by MacDonald or perhaps it was just good defense by Bovolenta which made him look bad.

MacDonald throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bovolenta tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. MacDonald is in Bovolenta's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bovolenta striking off his back but it's not causing MacDonald any problems.
Bovolenta has MacDonald pulled in close to control his posture.

MacDonald decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

MacDonald has managed to clinch.

MacDonald jumps guard.

Bovolenta decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on MacDonald, up you get!

MacDonald decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bovolenta tries to get to full guard but MacDonald has control of the leg.

MacDonald is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bovolenta knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
MacDonald works his way into side control.
MacDonald prevents Bovolenta from escaping the position.
Bovolenta is trying to improve his position.
Bovolenta wants to control but MacDonald postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald works to advance to full mount. Bovolenta defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
MacDonald trying to control but he's not successful this time.

MacDonald stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Bovolenta scoring well with a low kick there.
MacDonald fails with a takedown attempt.

Bovolenta darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
MacDonald is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bovolenta seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald wants to get back to his feet.
Bovolenta wants to take a breather but MacDonald is having none of it.

Bovolenta is trying to work for a kimura but MacDonald is defending well.
Bovolenta tries to stand and escape but MacDonald actually recovers to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MacDonald has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bovolenta can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bovolenta trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
MacDonald controls Bovolenta momentarily but Bovolenta frees himself.
Bovolenta is looking to stand up but MacDonald won't let him.
MacDonald might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as MacDonald holds on and takes a little breather.
MacDonald can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bovolenta controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory MacDonald dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

MacDonald rushes Bovolenta and presses him up against the cage.

Bovolenta jumps guard.
MacDonald postures up and lands a big shot to Bovolenta's brow.
Bovolenta is trying to control the position but MacDonald postures up.
MacDonald tries to free his leg and advance position but Bovolenta is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bovolenta is on top in guard.
Rory MacDonald overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
MacDonald looking to control.
Bovolenta looking to pass the guard.
Bovolenta controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bovolenta drops back, looking for a kneebar! MacDonald looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. MacDonald looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from MacDonald!
Bovolenta is breathing heavily.
Bovolenta is not content to let MacDonald control the position.

MacDonald has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

MacDonald throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bovolenta tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. MacDonald is in Bovolenta's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bovolenta works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

MacDonald drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and MacDonald jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
MacDonald wants to control from the top but Bovolenta keeps moving.
Bovolenta has a closed guard, preventing MacDonald from standing up.
Bovolenta working a defensive guard here.
MacDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Bovolenta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bovolenta wants to control the position but MacDonald says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
MacDonald wants to pass the guard but Bovolenta is defending well.

MacDonald is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bovolenta is looking to escape.

MacDonald seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bovolenta trying to control but MacDonald postures up.
Bovolenta wants to improve his position but MacDonald is controlling well.
Bovolenta pushes MacDonald off looking to stand but MacDonald dives back in and keeps control.
MacDonald passes to side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bovolenta being controlled for a moment.
Bovolenta is not content to let MacDonald control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory MacDonald dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

MacDonald changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bovolenta looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
MacDonald controls the position.
MacDonald throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Bovolenta wants to control but MacDonald postures up.
MacDonald is looking to take a break and control but Bovolenta is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
MacDonald content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bovolenta is trying to work for a sweep but MacDonald has mounted him!
Bovolenta is looking to improve his position but MacDonald isn't that keen on the idea.
Bovolenta wants to control but MacDonald is having none of it.
Bovolenta takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
MacDonald wants to control the pace but Bovolenta is squirming around nicely.
Bovolenta is controlling an arm, preventing MacDonald from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald scoring with strikes but Bovolenta is staying in there.
Bovolenta is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
MacDonald looking to control but Bovolenta is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Bovolenta is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
MacDonald looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bovolenta is looking to escape.
Bovolenta tries to hold on but MacDonald postures up.
MacDonald landing shots from mount.

MacDonald stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bovolenta takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bovolenta throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
MacDonald throws a head kick that misses

and Bovolenta counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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!
MacDonald manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

MacDonald stands up from mount. Strange move.
Bovolenta keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
MacDonald wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Alfio Bovolenta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rory MacDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

MacDonald shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. MacDonald showed some decent athleticism there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rory MacDonald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well MacDonald 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rory MacDonald!