PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ted Mcconnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Armstrong (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.

Mcconnell
vs
Armstrong

184 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight 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, Ted Mcconnell!
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, Carlos Armstrong!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Robert Twigg and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mcconnell on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Carlos Armstrong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Armstrong bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mcconnell's head.
Armstrong stuffs the takedown attempt from Mcconnell. Mcconnell gets slowly back to his feet.
Armstrong scores with a nice head shot.
Mcconnell shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Armstrong as he avoids it easily.
A jab lands there for Armstrong.
Mcconnell closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Armstrong lands with a right hand.
Mcconnell gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Jab by Armstrong.

Mcconnell is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mcconnell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Armstrong.
Oh Mcconnell is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mcconnell slips under a jab from Armstrong.
Mcconnell ducks under a wild hook from Armstrong.
Armstrong missing with a left hand there. Mcconnell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Armstrong throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mcconnell slips under a jab.
Mcconnell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Armstrong throws out the jab.
Armstrong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mcconnell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mcconnell shoots in for a double leg but Armstrong sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ted Mcconnell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mcconnell slips under a jab from Armstrong.
A telegraphed right hand from Armstrong misses the target.
Armstrong throws a hook but Mcconnell blocks it.
Armstrong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Armstrong is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mcconnell.
Armstrong misses with a hook. Mcconnell ducked under it nicely.
Armstrong looks to land a right hand but Mcconnell moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Armstrong misses.
Mcconnell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Armstrong looks winded!
Armstrong throws the left hand but Mcconnell avoids the punch easily.
Armstrong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mcconnell moves out of range of the strikes.
Armstrong slaps away a takedown attempt from Mcconnell, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mcconnell seems to have got his legs back now.
Mcconnell takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Mcconnell rushes Armstrong and presses him up against the cage.
Mcconnell blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Armstrong is looking to break free of the clinch but Mcconnell has double underhooks.
Armstrong is trying to pull guard but Mcconnell has him pressed against the cage.
Armstrong gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mcconnell.

Mcconnell pulls guard effortlessly.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Mcconnell wriggles free and stands up.
Mcconnell shoots in for a takedown but Armstrong shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell misses with the combination.
Armstrong scores with a hook.
Mcconnell lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Carlos Armstrong has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Armstrong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mcconnell.

Mcconnell has managed to clinch.

Mcconnell pulls guard effortlessly.
Armstrong trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mcconnell preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mcconnell trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ted Mcconnell.
Mcconnell shoots in for a takedown but Armstrong shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Armstrong might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Mcconnell ducks right into an uppercut from Armstrong.
Armstrong lands a really nice looking cross but Mcconnell seems unphased.
Armstrong scores with a jab to the jaw.
Mcconnell throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Armstrong sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Mcconnell has managed to clinch.

Mcconnell manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mcconnell misses with a head shot.
Armstrong wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Mcconnell.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mcconnell content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Carlos Armstrong will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Carlos Armstrong's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mcconnell fails to land the takedown.
Mcconnell shoots in looking for a takedown. Armstrong tries to sprawl out of it but Mcconnell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Armstrong manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Armstrong fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mcconnell on the side of the head.
Mcconnell throws a nice looking combination but Armstrong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Armstrong cracks Mcconnell with a right hand to the side of the head.
Mcconnell takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Armstrong smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mcconnell shoots for a double leg takedown but Armstrong sprawls well. He's pushed Mcconnell's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ted Mcconnell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Armstrong misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcconnell tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Armstrong defends well and Mcconnell ends up having to push Armstrong into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mcconnell keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Armstrong's efforts to push away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mcconnell is trying to drag Armstrong to the mat but Armstrong just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Armstrong tries to break the clinch but Mcconnell is controlling the position.
A head punch on the inside from Armstrong fails to land.

Mcconnell decides to pull guard.
Armstrong really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mcconnell. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Mcconnell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mcconnell is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Armstrong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mcconnell will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Armstrong with a flurry of punches that miss.
Armstrong throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mcconnell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Armstrong trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mcconnell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mcconnell pulls Armstrong in close to his closed guard and prevents Armstrong from doing any damage or advancing position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Armstrong throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mcconnell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mcconnell bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Armstrong's guard.
Mcconnell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ted Mcconnell just wasn't active enough.
Mcconnell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Armstrong circles away.
Mcconnell fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mcconnell walks into a jab.
Armstrong connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mcconnell gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Armstrong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Armstrong bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mcconnell's head backwards.

Mcconnell moves into the clinch successfully.

Mcconnell breaks from the clinch.
Carlos Armstrong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Armstrong feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mcconnells jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Mcconnell throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Armstrong was covering up waiting for the punch and Mcconnell finishes the takedown easily into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mcconnell sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ted Mcconnell will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Carlos Armstrong's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A cross from Armstrong lands.
Mcconnell fails to land the takedown.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Armstrong, as that shot connected.
Mcconnell keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Armstrong.
A lazy left from Armstrong finds it's target.
Mcconnell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Armstrong.
Armstrong connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Armstrong tries to stall but Mcconnell uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Armstrong looking to throw knees to the head but Mcconnell is blocking nicely.
Armstrong has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Armstrong takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong is looking to break free of the clinch but Mcconnell has double underhooks.
Armstrong looking to stall.
Armstrong gets underhooks to prevent Mcconnell's takedown attempt.
Armstrong misses with a knee to the head.

Mcconnell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mcconnell clinches up against the cage.
Mcconnell has Armstrong pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Armstrong manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ted Mcconnell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A frustrated look appears on Armstrong's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Armstrong is looking to break free of the clinch but Mcconnell has double underhooks.
Armstrong is trying to force a seperation but Mcconnell has the dominant position.
Armstrong misses with an elbow over the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mcconnell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mcconnell fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Armstrong feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mcconnells jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Armstrong lands with a hook. Mcconnell tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A telegraphed right hand from Armstrong misses the target.
Mcconnell blocks a jab.
The fighters circling - Armstrong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mcconnell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Armstrong throws out the jab.
Armstrong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mcconnell.

Mcconnell throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Armstrong tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mcconnell is in Armstrong's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mcconnell gets to his feet. Armstrong looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong blocks a head kick by Mcconnell.
Mcconnell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mcconnell looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Mcconnell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Armstrong's waist but Armstrong gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mcconnell off to one side.
Armstrong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mcconnell.
A left lands for Armstrong.
Mcconnell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A slow jab from Armstrong misses its intended target.
A jab from Armstrong misses.
Mcconnell fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mcconnell has a takedown stuffed.
Mcconnell looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Armstrong connects with a looping right hand.
Mcconnell fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Armstrong tests Mcconnell's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Armstrong keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mcconnell slips a jab from Armstrong.
Armstrong misses with a left hand
and Mcconnell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Carlos Armstrong.
I think Armstrong has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Armstrong!