PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gerard Mclaughlin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jax Katum (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.

Mclaughlin
vs
Katum

160 cm
19
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gerard Mclaughlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jax Katum!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Katum fails to land with a series of punches.
Mclaughlin throws a head kick that Katum semi-blocks.

It looks like Jax Katum has been cut.
Katum looks to land a combination but Mclaughlin avoids it well.
Katum misses with a double jab.
Mclaughlin misses with a straight left.

Mclaughlin shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Katum is trying to defend but Mclaughlin finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Mclaughlin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Katum doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Mclaughlin.
Mclaughlin is thwarting Katum's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Mclaughlin in particular looking to stall.
Mclaughlin's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Katum won't allow Mclaughlin to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mclaughlin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Gerard Mclaughlin.
Katum fails to land with a series of punches.
Mclaughlin wants to clinch up but Katum keeps it at a distance.
Mclaughlin could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Katum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mclaughlin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Katum.

Mclaughlin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Katum sprawls well initially but Mclaughlin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Katum is looking to improve his position.
Well, if Mclaughlin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Mclaughlin seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mclaughlin prevents Katum from standing back up.
Mclaughlin is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Mclaughlin stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Gerard Mclaughlin just wasn't active enough.
Katum tries to clinch up.
Katum throws a right hand that Mclaughlin ducks under and follows up with a left that Mclaughlin also avoids with ease.
Katum tries to clinch but Mclaughlin is having none of it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Katum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Mclaughlin. No joy for Katum on that attempt.

Mclaughlin fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Katum to the ground. Mclaughlin is now in Katum's guard.
Mclaughlin tries to stand but Katum is controlling from the bottom.
Mclaughlin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Katum's guard.
Mclaughlin prevents Katum from improving his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Katum keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Mclaughlin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jax Katum's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Katum moves into range and connects with a jab.

Katum drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Katum tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
You can see the frustration on Mclaughlin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Katum wants to control for a moment but Mclaughlin uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Katum keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Katum is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Mclaughlin manages to get to full guard.
Katum wants to stand but Mclaughlin has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Mclaughlin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mclaughlin is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Katum content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Mclaughlin has locked up a guillotine! Mclaughlin's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Katum is holding on here and Mclaughlin must be using up a lot of energy. Katum has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Mclaughlin gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Gerard Mclaughlin!